Review of The Last Picture Show (1971) by Rae W — 25 May 2012
The word American Classic gets thrown around yet this surely is deserving of that title! a story as universal as this can be transported into any culture and still be effective except when thrown into this context the viewer is left with nothing more than an ever lasting impression.
.. Ben Johnson's Sam the Lion is a terrific character that one wishes would actually exist in real life, Ellen Burstyn as a mother that any daughter would learn so many more life lessons than Mrs. Brady, and not enough can be said about Cybil Sheppard's character where she transforms from naive Texas flower into a lethal femme fatale where she leaves mens hopes and dreams dead in the dust but worse than that; these men still have their lives to continue living.
.. Bogdanovich was quoted as saying he stayed away from shooting in color because it was too beautifuland wouldn't express the bleakness of the story, well I would love to see it in colorso the beauty would conflict with the ugliness shown on the screen.
.. please more filmmakers watch this movie and take notes on how to create another American Classic.
This review of The Last Picture Show (1971) was written by Rae W on 25 May 2012.
The Last Picture Show has generally received very positive reviews.
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