Ever seen the movie Lone Star? I did a Facebook post about it this morning by way of noting what a bad thing it is that Elizabeth Peña has died. I said (truthfully) that it’s a great movie, possibly Sayles’s best, and to my surprise a lot of people came along to echo that thought. One said it’s his favorite movie, another said a friend considers it the best American movie of all time.
Wo – I thought it was an obscure favorite peculiar to me, but no. So why isn’t it shown on tv all the time?
Here are a few scenes on Siskel and Ebert:
It is a great movie, from arguably our greatest director, full of great performances. Probably Chris Cooper’s best for one. Pena is so good in it, and wow, that voice. In the sexy voice sweepstakes Elizabeth Pena ranks with Bacall.
Right?? I love that voice.
Chris Cooper was great in it. I’ve liked him ever since because of it, but never seen him in anything I liked as much.
I watched twice in a row the first time I rented it. Yep, ditto, ditto.
Saw this when it first came out, and was utterly blown away by the artistry. Ms. Pena was amazing, and Chris Cooper was so natural, like he inhabited the role. I can’t decide if I like Lone Star or Eight Men Out best of Sayles’ work. If you haven’t seen Matewan, watch that too.
I always urged people to watch this when they would claim that Matthew McConaughey can’t act (before his recent career resurgence). He’s terrific in this, as are Pena and Cooper.
Yeah, this is one of those few films that I think is just about as good as cinema can get.
I love this film too. Flashback as a storytelling technique is overused these days, especially in television, but it really felt innovative at the time. Most of my all-time favorite movies use some kind of non-linear storytelling, flashback, and/or an unreliable narrator.
I thought Limbo was also fantastic. And Cooper was pretty great in Adaptation. But yeah, Lonestar is one of my favorites. Amazing all around.
A wonderful film. A little bit didactic, injecting history lessons in the school scene etc. but that’s fine with me.
I hadn’t even been aware of the film. Definitely added to my list to see.