Review of The Last Picture Show (1971) by Alvin Y — 19 Apr 2012

The Last Picture Show, Great Movies.

*The Last Picture Show* is one of the most different and the most essential teenage dramas I've ever seen. It is a film which makes all those regular teen films with parties and hungovers a lot more less exciting. As usual, here is an another realistic and probably an inspiring movie that I wish most teenagers today could reflect for. The lesson is just what makes us who and what we are and for most of it, what if, we never exist at all, or what if this place doesn't exist at all. Here, we meet different types of people, young men and women, old men and women, all with some stories about love, sacrifices, forgiveness, and redemption. I can't think of any other character in this movie that is wasted, everybody did something valuable for most part. I also think that the director's point us to tell us how sad and lonely can these people are, and so does the place they all stay in. Texas, is never been so painful like this in any other movie. It is treated like a 20th century western, but the truth is, it's location is truly what resonates the film most. Another reason for this to be a great movie is how it captures the 50s nation's shifting mores and interests. And as well, how the characters try to find their place in a changing world. The director's vision is bleak but honest, and captures the awkward moments when innocence lurches into experience, without judgment an without pat nostalgia. As I said, the film is like a wake for an entire era, ripe with tragedy and exuding a heavy pall of unmistakable sadness.

This may you know, one of the best movies of all time, period. 1970s is a decade of some blockbusters, some international movies, some art-houses, some other stuff, but this one, is just a complete timeless. One more thing, I happen to find out that this movie has a sequel called *Texasville*, starring the same characters set 30 years after the time of the first movie. I will watch that soon, don't worry! Anyways, in a time of needing to watch something more usual, this is the one. You must crazy to say this is boring or black and white, you just don't know what a real great movie really is!?