John Sayles is a true independent. His only studio-produced feature was not a happy affair (Baby, It's You, 1983). He refuses to sacrifice final editing rights for studio money and funds all of his films from money he earns. Sayles first came to prominence with the multi-award winning Return of The Secaucus 7 - which he wrote, edited, directed and starred in.
Sayles was born in Schenectady, New York on 28 September 1950. He entered the film industry in the late 1970's employed as a screenwriter by Roger Corman. He continues to write scripts (most recently for the 2003 remake of The Alamo) but it is as a Director that he has really made his mark. His films tend to have recurring themes and issues - America, power and corruption, the past haunting the present, fathers and sons and multi-culturism and racism are the most common. All of these are present in Lone Star.
Three things are found in the desert. There is a Masonic ring, a tarnished sheriffs badge and a human skull. The new sheriff in town has to investigate these findings. In so doing, he finds himself immersed in a case that unearths secrets he would rather not have to face.
Lone Star is an ensemble piece. There are some 15 key characters and Sayles
gives time for them all to develop. Kris Kristofferson gives a magnificent performance,
as the much hated Sheriff Charlie Wade. Matthew McConaughey plays Buddy Deeds,
the legendary sheriff who succeeded Wade and father of the present sheriff Sam
Deeds, played by Chris Cooper. Female actors also play important characters,
none more so than Elizabeth Pena as the schoolteacher Pilar Cruz.
The mystery is uncovered piece by piece and the tightly woven plot is not fully
revealed until the final scene. The events unfold very naturally and we are
merely drawn along by what is happening.
Cinematography is by Stuart Dryburgh. Born in London on 30 March 1952, Dryburgh is also responsible for another of our A Class Act selection - The Piano. His body of work is mightily impressive and he is fast becoming a worthy addition to the list of brilliant British cinematographers. In Lone Star look out for the beautifully lit scene in an empty restaurant when the two lovers dance to a song from the jukebox and into the past to give us a glimpse of what once was.
Lone Star is a film that bears repeat viewings. There is so much more going on than the solving of a mystery. The human touches are quite wonderful - when Sam introduces himself as Sheriff Deeds he is met with the response, "Sheriff Deeds is dead, you're just Sheriff Junior" - and there is much to ponder upon after the film is finished.
"This film is a wonder" - Roger Ebert.
It certainly is.
 Booths Supermarkets |  North West Vision |  Allerdale Community Fund |