Paris, Texas
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Movie Reviews of Paris, Texas
Movie Review: Few equals as a cinematic chronicle of American myths and ways
Summary: 5 Stars
Is is possible to ever possess another? Is America (ancient and modern) alien to human life? Are we, as humans, ultimately alone? These ideas - trite, maybe, but psychologically powerful - are ideas that inhabit the work of one of America's great writers - Sam Shepard. PARIS, TEXAS may be one of Mr Shepard's greatest collaborations. Certainly, visually, it may be one of the most beautiful films of America ever made, DAYS OF HEAVEN and KOYAANISQATSI notwithstanding. The richness of the colours, the framing, represent a wondrous manifestation of Mr Shepard's vision, a vision that is reminiscent of Edward Hopper - humans isolated in a landscape albeit a stunningly beautiful one. And whether that landscape is the Mojave Desert or suburban L.A. or urban Houston, it is a landscape that is strangely cold, and clean, eerie and unwelcoming. Robbie Muller may be a master cinemaphotographer in the way he is able to give reality to Mr Shepard's and Mr Wender's vision. Let's face it - a story is really a platform to launch off into exploring the wider questions.
One striking and memorable moment among many, is when the searching anti-hero, Everyman, Travis is walking purposefully (he is on a mission) across a sidewalk on a freeway cloverleaf interchange bridge - in the background beyond the steel safety rail in the middle distance are the freeways and the cars. Travis is the only animal, human, organic thing visible, and he walks purposefully on ignoring all vistas, and then we and he become aware of a ranting male voice which increases as we get closer and closer until it overcomes the hum and occasional whoosh of traffic. THe voice gets louder declaiming the destruction of the world - Travis pauses when he gets to the man, listens a sentence or two, then continues on his way, edging past the "mad" orator.
Yes the film does tell a story. And the story does hold our interest. Our dreams may be pathetic, and romantic, and we may have to painfully learn that we cannot possess the thing we love the most or we will destroy it. The joy of Travis is that he learns this, and through a wonderful act of redemption and generosity, achieves a kind of grace.
But it is the visual splendour and cinematic power of Wim Wenders,and Robbie Muller giving expression to Sam Shepard that makes this one of the greatest films about America.
Brilliant and captured stunningly well on DVD. I offer no comment on any extras.
Movie Review: pure heart, Texas style
Summary: 5 Stars
Sam Shepard, the actor-writer, wrote this beautiful film; his friend Wim Wenders directed it. This is a cinematic emotional masterpiece with a core that points straight to the things we love and says, Are we in love with them as they are, or as we imagine them to be?
The title is a perfect representation of this point; it's the town where Travis, played by Harry Dean Stanton in probably his best role on screen, was conceived and where his father said his mother was from, without giving the name of the state, only the town. Paris--as in France--is the fantasy. Paris--as in Texas--is the reality. Did his father love his mother for what she was, a plain girl from Texas, or what he imagined her to be, a "fancy woman" from France?
Travis has the same problem; he's the real focus of the film and around him the Texas twilight casts long, sad shadows that glisten with hope, brilliant colors, and soon to be approaching night. In him's a heart that's torn between his love for what he knows and for what he wants to run away from, between his son, Hunter, his ex-wife Jane, and himself. The only one of these he knows is real is his son, who's the second core of the film. Hunter is the reality of his marriage to Jane, the one thing he knows is solid and true and right in front of him.
Nobody makes films like this anymore. This was done in 1984 and deservedly won a Palmes d'Or prize at the Cannes Film Festival, one of the top awards given to a film director.
Nobody makes films with this much heart anymore. Things have changed.
Things have changed.
Movie Review: great movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Paris, Texas. I've got a friend who lives on a boat near a little hamlet in Holland. It was a quiet summer day 14 years ago. He went away to get something small to eat. In the meantime the gently rocking boat made me sleepy so, why not, I took a little nap. I awoke with music of Ry Cooder. I hazily ask my friend what it was. This music, from the LP Paris, Texas, which filled the boat's space, was hitting the right spot. In that particular way that now, 14 years later, this music crossed my mind again. Somewhere in my head it was nagging that there was a film too. So I surfed on the internet. A few days later I saw the movie.
Now, about the movie: The mystic surroundings at the start of the movie is very promising. What strikes me the most is, aside of the music, the impressive photography. The story goes very slow but therein lays its power; resulting in very convincing acting work combined with comprehensive dialogues. A gentle tough of "Linchy" surrealism makes it more subtle and catches your attention the entire film. It proves that he has a firm knowledge of how to write a good story. The plot is a bit disappointing though. One longs a different end here in my opinion. But on the other hand; by leaving one at this particular point of view (I won't give any clues away) it transforms the picture to a well composed painting. This in combination with, as mentioned, the music makes this picture on of the most precious moments in your live.
Movie Review: Not For Everyone, but Powerful
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a very long movie with virtually no physical "action." It is words and feelings and feelings not spoken that should be and all permutations of the above. The understated performances from all lend themselves to the broad expanse of space Wenders creates here. The actors give full, highly complex performances, but within the context of the Texas desert and the American southwest, the humans are dwarfed by the world around them.
This movie will not appeal to everyone. It is talky and the language borders on the poetic quite often. The ending is both satisfying and not satisfying and leaves many questions. I, for one, can't help but think the child ends up back with Travis' brother Walt and his wife. However, that could be argued. Trust me, it has been.
Anyhow, this is a fascinating character study in which the scenery and the music become active characters in the film. Dean Stockwell controls the first 45 minutes or so and then deftly hands it over to Harry Dean Stanton who then hands it over to Nastassja Kinski. In the middle of all this is the keeper of the baton, Hunter Carson. It is an amazing piece of work for them all.
Movie Review: My Favorite Film....bar none!
Summary: 5 Stars
I can't begin to express just how much this film touches my soul. I really feel as though I'm watching a sort of surreal home movie of my childhood. I can personaly relate to the 'Hunter' character, even as an adult.
The basic plot: Harry Dean Stanton's 'Travis' is a lost soul who slowly redeems himself of past mistakes throughout the story. Also stars Nastassja Kinski as his estranged wife and Dean Stockwell as his brother.
I had no idea Sam Shephard was even involved in this movie until I recently visited Wim Wenders' website and saw that he wrote it, what a great surprise to me, especially since Jessica Lange's my favorite actress...it seems very cosmic.
Every actor in 'Paris, Texas' is superb! The scenery is unbelievable and the commentary by Wim Wenders on the DVD extra's is wonderful. Included on the DVD are deleted scenes (watch with commentary ON); photo stills; and scenes from the Cannes Film Festival of 1984 when it premiered, which is a hoot to watch and the original trailer.
I believe this film will touch your soul as well!! It's just plain beautiful.