242. Paris, Texas; movie review

 

PARIS, TEXAS

Cert 12A

150 mins

BBFC advice: Contains infrequent strong language, moderate sex references, domestic abuse

One of the classic films of the past 40 years or a meandering bore?

I can see why both conclusions would be drawn from Wim Wenders' much-acclaimed Paris, Texas.

We watched it home and Mrs W gave up after falling asleep while I persevered and was rewarded with one of the smartest dialogue exchanges I have seen in a long time.

Re-released by Curzon for its Wenders summer retrospective, Paris, Texas stars Harry Dean Stanton as Travis Henderson, a bedraggled soul who emerges from the desert having disappeared four years previously.

He doesn't speak or even react to those around him so his brother, Walt (Dean Stockwell), is tracked down to take him home.

It transpires that Walt and his wife (Aurore Clément) have been looking after the son (Hunter Carson) who had been left behind when Travis and his much younger wife (Natassja Kinski) vanished.

Very slowly, Travis is rehabilitated and gradually forms the idea that he would like to find his former love.

Paris, Texas looks great - the sweeping cinematography, especially across the desert, is stunning.

Secondly, the acting is top-notch - the highlight is the aforementioned scene shared between Stanton and Kinski at the movie's denouement.

And, finally, it feels real. The characters are flawed and occasionally desperate. Their dilemmas are not far-fetched but keep audiences engaged.

Sure, it is slow and I suspect that non-cinefiles won't feel the love but, as a movie-addict, I was belatedly touched by my first viewing of Wenders' award-winning picture.

Reasons to watch: Much-acclaimed example of Wenders' work

Reasons to avoid: Slow and long

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? Scottish band Texas took their name from the title of the film, while fellow Scottish band Travis are named after its main character.

The final word. Wim Wenders on Paris, Texas winning in Cannes: "It was terrible afterwards. It created a huge void in my life for the next three years because everybody expected me to do that all over again, and that was the only thing I didn’t want to do.” The Guardian

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