Review of The Last Picture Show (1971) by Compi24 — 23 Apr 2020
An unflinchingly honest, raw and saddening tale of adolescent existentialism, generational relations and the pitfalls of the American small town, "The Last Picture Show" is a thematically resonant tentpole of the New Hollywood movement, yet one I still regard as a fitting testament to the notion that a movie can't succeed on thematic resonance alone.
Granted, there's more at work here beyond that, it's still impossible to deny that all other elements take a back seat to the overall subtext at work. With this in mind, no single component takes more of a hit than the pacing.
Combined with the fact that this is already a relatively quiet and subtle experience for most of its running time anyway, "The Last Picture Show's" deliberate cadence will be sure to try the patience of at least some viewers.
When all is said and done, though, I'm also sure there'll be some sort of ethical/psychological/sociological kernel of knowledge that everyone will take away from the experience.
This review of The Last Picture Show (1971) was written by Compi24 on 23 Apr 2020.
The Last Picture Show has generally received very positive reviews.
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