24°
Long before Quentin Tarantino, John Sayles has been a pioneer of the modern American independent film movement since he began his career as a writer/director in the late ’70s. By the mid-’90s, his work was in top form, and his 1996 film Lone Star is a quintessential example of his trademark sensitive character development and complex storytelling techniques. This brilliant little gem tells the story of a modern-day Texas sheriff, Sam Deeds (Chris Cooper), who investigates a 30-year-old cold case murder that may implicate the reputation of his famed sheriff father, Buddy.
The film begins with the discovery of skeletal remains, a Masonic ring and a tarnished tin badge of a Rio County sheriff but subtly evolves into a richly layered narrative mosaic of the racial and ethnic conflicts of this Texas border town: the traditional Caucasian “good ol’ boys” power base, the local Mexican-American business people and civic organizers, members of the African-American military base families, and more rural residents. There’s even a rekindled love story between Sam and his former sweetheart, a local school teacher (Elizabeth Pena).
Cooper proves he’s one of the screen’s finest natural actors with low-key appeal. His Sam is a thoughtful, dedicated lawman who needs to solve this murder, even though it may lead to some shocking results. Pena’s Pilar Cruz provides interesting romantic chemistry, and Kris Kristofferson’s Charlie Wade is one nasty racist sheriff whose despicable legacy affected many lives. Lone Star, like John Ford’s classic The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, nicelwy debates the values of seeking truths and retaining legends. This not-to-be missed modern classic received an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay.
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