Review of Paris, Texas (1984) by Michael N — 14 Aug 2010
1984's Palme d'Or at Cannes by unanimous vote. A beautifully shot-and-colored cinematic tribute from German director Wim Wenders and cinematographer Robby Muller toward their vision of classic Americana.
Massive vistas of blue skies, white clouds, dark storms and orange sunsets. The artful neon and dingy rooms of mid-Century motels. Towering stone monuments within the Mojave Desert. The skyline of Houston. A conversation under an L.A. spaghetti junction. A 3am pit-stop diner with a massive T-Rex out front. All this imagery and so much more, drawn from nearly 100% location shoots and authentic props.
Criterion's restoration is outstanding; images are top-notch crisp and color/lighting is outstanding (and highly innovative). Composition is often extraordinary. Note, for example, in-car shots where the rear-view mirror image and the highway far ahead are both simultaneously in perfect focus.
Ry Cooder's twangy-bluesy slide guitar echoes precisely and sadly the 'hollow man in search of redemption' that Harry Dean Stanton delivers.
The film opens with Stanton found wandering in the desert, after he and his wife disappeared four years prior, abandoning their child in care of Stanton's brother. Then the viewer's on-the-hook for 2.5 hours to find out what really happened.
The film's split into two parts. Only the first 80 minutes was scripted/plotted pre-production, and that time flows slower than molasses under sparse, focused dialogue authored by Sam Shepard. Then Wenders - sans script, storyboards or plotline - starts winging it. The pace quickens, much is improvised, loose ends dangle - and Stanton's delivery gets stronger with every passing frame.
Though the viewer waits far too long for it, Stanton's near-fin spousal reunion/confessional (also scripted by Shepard) is undoubtedly one of cinema's great works of drama and visual composition.
Wenders' commentary is worthy.
RECOMMENDATION: See it. Serious plot-patience is required up front, but visuals astound throughout.
This review of Paris, Texas (1984) was written by Michael N on 14 Aug 2010.
Paris, Texas has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
