Search - Lone Star

Reminiscent of a fine novel in depth and complexity, writer-director John Sayles' acclaimed drama uses the investigation of a 25-year-old murder as the framework for a detailed exploration of life in a Texas border town. The nominal center of the film is Sheriff Sam Deeds (the superb, subtle Chris Cooper), the chief law officer of the town of Frontera. The low-key Sam is also the son of the late Buddy Deeds (played in flashbacks by Matthew McConaughey), who also served as town sheriff and still maintains a legendary status for ousting the vicious, corrupt Charlie Wade (a memorably vicious Kris Kristofferson). The discovery of Wade's decades-old skeleton, however, calls this legend into question, and forces Sam to begin an investigation. During this search for the truth, Sam must come to terms with his own troubled emotions about his father and his still-lingering romantic feelings for Pilar (Elizabeth Peña), a Hispanic woman that Buddy had prevented him from seeing as a young man. Lone Star's scope encompasses not only this story but the whole town, addressing Pilar's difficulties as a schoolteacher, the conflict between incoming immigrants and border patrol officers, and the troubles faced by the African-American commander of the local military base. Sayles expertly moves between past and present, weaving his stories together to illustrate, as in his earlier City of Hope (1991), how the seemingly disparate parts of a community are in fact intimately interconnected. Raising issues of race, politics, and identity, Lone Star nevertheless focuses most of its attention on its complex, believable characters, well-performed by an excellent ensemble cast. One of the most financially successful of Sayles' low-key movies, Lone Star received glowing notices and an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide

Chris Cooper - Sam Deeds
Elizabeth Peña - Pilar Cruz
Joe Morton - Delmore Payne
Ron Canada - Otis Payne
Clifton James - Hollis Pogue
Kris Kristofferson - Charlie Wade
Miriam Colon - Mercedes Cruz

1996	Best Original Screenplay (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	John Sayles
1996	Best Screenplay (nominee)	Independent Spirit Awards	John Sayles
1996	Best Actor (nominee)	Independent Spirit Awards	Chris Cooper
1996	Best Supporting Actress (winner)	Independent Spirit Awards	Elizabeth Peña

John Sayles' literate tale of three generations in a Texas border town comes to DVD with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. English and French soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. Subtitles are available in both of those languages as well. Supplemental materials are limited to a theatrical trailer. Although the disc does not offer many extras, the quality of the film itself, as well as the fine picture and sound, make this a DVD worth watching. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

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