Review of Texasville

Introduction

You know that this movie is going to be a little bit special from the outset with a perfectly choreographed, computer-controlled 360 degree pan that starts out on a desolate Texas landscape and ends on a hot-tub with a cowboy shooting pieces out of an elaborate dog-house, seemingly out of sheer boredom.

This was a much anticipated sequel to Peter Bogdanovich`s classic, `The Last Picture Show`. Bogdanovich pulls together most of the original cast to give us an update on what happened since that movie`s credits rolled the best part of twenty years prior to this movie`s theatrical release in 1991. Both movies are based on novels by Larry McMurtry.

The narrative moves along at a gentle lolloping pace, and throughout the movie there`s a sense of how the sheer heat of a Texas summer affects everyday life in this way, slowing the heartbeat to a dull laid-back thud.

Of course, that doesn`t mean that nothing happens. You get the impression that the lethargy the heat brings on also creates a boredom that incites some of the Town`s inhabitants to behavioural extremes.
So how did all those good folk from `The Last Picture Show` get on?

While "The Last Picture Show" focused principally on the character of Sonny (Timothy Bottoms), "Texasville" is really his best friend, Duane`s story (Jeff Bridges).

Duane Jackson (Jeff Bridges) and Jacy Farrow (Cybill Shepherd) were just teenagers in the first movie (when Duane goes off to fight in Korea after they split up) and here we find them both on the cusp of middle age. But for them, things haven`t got simpler or more settled. Both their lives are in turmoil in different ways.

Duane (like all good Texans) got rich on oil - and then an oil crisis pulled the rug from under him and he`s twelve million dollars in debt. His marriage to Karla (Annie Potts) is weird too with both co-existing comfortably in mutual cynicism, despite plenty of affairs on both sides. He has a daughter who has a string of broken engagements as well as a baby that she is clearly incapapable of dealing with, and his son is in and out of trouble with drug use and a penchant for middle-aged ladies. Just a typical all-American family really. Despite all this seeming adversity, Bridges plays it nice and cool and takes it all in his cowboy-booted stride.

Jacy, the manipulative rich girl from the first movie, turned out to be the exotic one, flying the small-town coop and moving to Italy to become an actress. She`s only back in town after the death of her son.

Of course, whilst the film`s narrative is really focussed on the re-meeting of these two, all the old favourites are back too. Sonny now has neurological problems that cause him to forget where he is and has become Amarene`s Mayor. Ruth Popper (Cloris Leachman) is now working as Duane`s secretary. Lester Marlow (Randy Quaid), who was a goofy rich kid in `Picture Show` is now the local bank president. (Ain`t life like that!).

I don`t think it will spoil your enjoyment to add that, yes, the old magic is there and romance is back in the air, despite the added complications that this brings.

Video

This is 1.85:1 wide screen - and really deserves to be too. A 4:3 ratio would be unable to do justice to the wonderful wide landscapes and early evening light that works so successfully for cinematographer Nicholas von Sternberg. It`s a decent print and transfer too with just a little sparkling at both ends of the movie letting you know that this isn`t a brand new print.

Audio

Peculiarly a Dolby Digital Monaural soundtrack. Odd because this doesn`t look or feel like a budget piece. But it`s nice and clean and all dialogue is evenly balanced and clear.

Features

None - save alternative language soundtracks and subtitles.

Conclusion

This brilliant sequel to `The Last Picture Show` is perfectly timed. The gap between that movie and this one mirrors the supposed gap between one book and the next so the cast have naturally aged and matured accordingly. It`s a sublime movie dealing with the disappointments and glories of middle age.

The whole town seems to have gone crazy in the heat and monotony of everyday life, and Jacy`s return seems to be enough of a punctuation point for us to join back in. And that`s just what it feels like too - like boarding a train that`s already moving, the story is already half-way through when we get there.

The cinematography is really superb and, unlike its prequel (which was filmed in B&W to reflect it`s 1950`s setting) makes great use of vivid colouring.

The pace of the movie is slow and gentle, and although a strict retelling of the facts would make it sound melodramatic, the truth is that it doesn`t feel that way. It`s full of intelligent humour and pathos in equal measure. Both Jeff Bridges and Cybill Shepherd are perfectly cast in the lead roles of this thoroughly enjoyable movie. Despite a generally cool reception on its release (great expectations and all that), I think this movie is primed for some sensible critical reappraisal. It might not be as good as its prequel but it`s still a damn fine movie - to use the vernacular. Recommended!