Review of Texasville (1990) by Jeffrey L — 14 Jan 2013

This long-awaited sequel to the famous film, The Last Picture Show can be summed up in numerous ways. Whether it be funny, depressing, insightful, overlong or ultimately enjoyable (among many other virtues), there is much one may take from it. As most original cast members from the first film (sans Ellen Burstyn and a few others) unite to continue the beloved story, most will find this one a viewing treat...though some lengthy, somewhat unnecessary segments get in the way at times.

Skipping from the 1950s to 1984, we are reunited with the main characters that were such a big deal in high school. It is now the centennial and everyone comes back to the town they remember so fondly. Things have become much grim, however as Duane (Jeff Bridges) is struggling with debt and has a large family to raise...but with the youngsters getting into constant trouble and his wife a serious alcoholic, things definitely were better in the good old days. His high school sweetheart, Jacy (a deglamorized Cybil Shepherd) comes back, however and has not had it terribly great, either. The whole town assumes they will rekindle their romance, but the spark which set things off way back when seems more nonexistent than ever now.

A film seemingly made to please fans of the legendary first installment, most should agree there is much to enjoy here and it is good to see the fine characters, though they surely are not as appealing as when they were young. Good period detail and filming locations are also done well and compensate somewhat for the film's serious overlength. Perhaps negativity is done more than necessary as the characters' everyday dilemmas are tough to watch, but it still should please most viewers. The cinematic story ends here, though some characters and the town were the subjects in three additional novels by Larry McMurtry who wrote the original novel.