Review of The Last Picture Show (1971) by Steven M — 25 Mar 2010

This has a strange effect. It looks believably like it was made in the early fifties but the language and the visuals shock you - it was clearly made in the 70s. I didn't think that the teenagers were the most interesting characters, and tended to care most about the coach's wife Ruth as the film went on.

The story being fairly mundane, it's the performances which shine through, each characterisation given plenty of time and space. There were many Oscars nominations and wins and it is easy to see why. Timothy Bottoms surely deserved a nomination but didn't receive one.

I also really liked the strange, haunting ending brilliantly played and directed with sensitivity. Very good and deserving of its classic status.