Lone Star (1996)
- Starring:
- Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Peña, (more)
- Director(s):
- John Sayles
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Format(s):
- DVD
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Synopsis of 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, Rovi
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 135 mins
Complete Cast of Lone Star
- Chris Cooper - Sam Deeds
- Joe Morton - Delmore Payne
- Clifton James - Hollis Pogue
- Jeff Monahan - Young Hollis
- Tay Strathairn - Young Sam
- Gabriel Casseus - Young Otis
- Frances McDormand - Bunny
- Elizabeth Peña - Pilar Cruz
- Ron Canada - Otis Payne
- Kris Kristofferson - Charlie Wade
- Chandra Wilson - Pvt. Johnson
- Beatrice Winde - Minnie Bledsoe
- Miriam Colon - Mercedes Cruz
- Matthew McConaughey - Buddy Deeds
- Director(s):
- John Sayles
- Writer(s):
- John Sayles
- Producer(s):
- Paul Miller, Maggie Renzi
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Not For Children, Mild Violence, Adult Situations, Watch With Your Teen)
- Categories:
- Mystery & Suspense
- 1996 - Independent Spirit Awards - Best Supporting Actress
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