Lone Star 1996
by
John Sayles
This independent film garnered wide acclaim for its writing, even securing an Oscar nomination for it. Chris Cooper plays Sheriff of a small Texan town. His father, Buddy Deeds, also the Sheriff of the town, is quite a legend. Matthew McConnaughey plays this role with his characteristic flourish. The son and father had their share of problems in the past, and now with the discovery of the remains of a person, the son suspects his father to be a murderer as well. Fact is, the son is not comfortable with the legendary status enjoyed by his father, who he sees as a compromised Sheriff, who provided all kinds of protection to various rackets.
As a side story, Chris has tender feelings for a school teacher, and the two were romantically involved as teens as well. Their respective parents had come in the way of their union. But now both were single, and ready to mingle. As it turns out, her mother had been romantically involved with his father, and the two of them were half-siblings.
His search gradually resolves his doubts, and brings out the finest in Buddy Deeds before his eyes. The film ambles towards a mature ending. This neo-western mystery film is quite a treat to savour, one of Sayles' finest.
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