Lone Star

Name: Lone Star
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Romance, Western
Released: June 21, 1996
Duration: 135 min
Rating: 78
Cast: Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Peña

1996

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	Your Score
7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Ratings

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Lone Star

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Movie Details & Credits

Columbia TriStar Home Video | Release Date: June 21, 1996 | R

Starring: Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Peña

Summary: The unearthing of human bones and a rusty sheriff's badge on a rifle range in a Texas border town resurrects painful memories for a young lawman (Cooper), drawing him into an intricate, fascingatingly woven web of ethical, familial, and intercultural conflicts.

Director: John Sayles

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery, Romance, Western

Rating: R

Runtime: 135 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Peter Travers

The performances are uncommonly fine...Lone Star isn't built to ride trends. It's built to last. Read full review

100

Roger Ebert

This film is a wonder - the best work yet by one of our most original and independent filmmakers - and after it is over, and you begin to think about it, its meanings begin to flower. Read full review

100

Empire Kim Newman

Even one-scene characters are unforgettable, but Sayles really gets under the skin of his struggling-to-be-heroic leads, Sam and Pilar. Long after this summer's crop of action flicks is gone, you'll watch this for the third or fourth time and see fresh material. Outstanding. Read full review

Ken Tucker

The biggest problem with Lone Star is that colorful Charley Wade isn't the center of the movie -- it's bland Sam Deeds. Cooper isn't a compelling enough movie star to carry us along some of the film's more languid twists and turns. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

The film stumbles a bit towards the end (some deeply rooted conflicts are implausibly resolved), but terrific performances from a large cast -- particularly Elizabeth Pena as Sam's childhood sweetheart -- smooth over the rough spots. Read full review

Barbara Shulgasser

While I was watching "Lone Star," I realized that what makes Sayles a good and socially responsible person - his ability to look at one thing a hundred different ways - is exactly what makes him a muddy filmmaker. Read full review

Laura Miller

Sayles speaks the language of cinematic formula so automatically -- his reunited lovers slow dance to a jukebox in a dark, deserted cafe and wait unannounced outside each other's workplaces when they want to talk -- that he's forgotten that real people don't do this stuff. Read full review

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User Reviews

Trailesque

Aug 30, 2021

This manages to be several movies in one: a murder mystery, a drama about fathers and sons, a romance, and a look at the evolving racial & cultural situation in South Texas. And it all works together nicely, even if things go a little too far at the very end imo. Sayles was never a greatThis manages to be several movies in one: a murder mystery, a drama about fathers and sons, a romance, and a look at the evolving racial & cultural situation in South Texas. And it all works together nicely, even if things go a little too far at the very end imo. Sayles was never a great visual filmmaker but here at least he is an excellent storyteller. It is interesting to note that this could very well be Sayles's best flick, which is a little ironic, given that this is very much a Texas picture and he is very much a northerner. There are a number of excellent supporting performances here (e.g. Ron Canada), and keep an eye out for pre-stardom Frances McDormand(!)… Expand

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DeusaV.

Sep 15, 2007

It´s a beautilful film, I recommend!!!! Several stories and also flashback. Actors are very good. I had a good time.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Spangle

Jul 18, 2016

Lone Star is an absolutely brilliant film that totally snuck up on me. I expected your typical crime mystery film, but I did not get that. Instead, I get a beautiful film that examines divisions, parental relationships, and the complexity of the individual. Incredibly written and directed byLone Star is an absolutely brilliant film that totally snuck up on me. I expected your typical crime mystery film, but I did not get that. Instead, I get a beautiful film that examines divisions, parental relationships, and the complexity of the individual. Incredibly written and directed by John Sayles, Lone Star is poetry in motion with numerous intertwining subplots that all connect and unite at one point: the death of the old sheriff. This death reveals many things and leads to changes for the town residents who must solve the mysteries of the past to fix themselves. With a terrific leading performance from Chris Cooper, the film has an incredibly strong supporting cast that really add to the feel of this Texas border town. Lone Star is so poetic and cinematic that even its setting reveals more of the film's thematic elements and really plays into what the film is attempting to communicate. Overall, Lone Star is far more than a crime film. Instead, it is a brilliantly poetic and moving examination of life, the past, and the future.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Andys_Reviews

Sep 28, 2013

If anything I found this one a little too complex; there were several threads that seemed totally unrelated to the main thrust of the story. It’s also, I felt, a little too long; the filmmakers are asking quite a lot for an audience to concentrate for two hours and fifteen minutes. It isIf anything I found this one a little too complex; there were several threads that seemed totally unrelated to the main thrust of the story. It’s also, I felt, a little too long; the filmmakers are asking quite a lot for an audience to concentrate for two hours and fifteen minutes. It is slow paced, but I didn’t particularly mind that; I’m used to the noir style and it is usually quite a slow burner. Some great performances with Chris Cooper coping well with the leading role and Kris Kristofferson playing the villain of the peace with gusto. Also we have Elizabeth Peña, who did an excellent job as the female lead and a small part for Matthew McConaughey as Buddy Deeds. Although it does have its problems I still found it an excellent watch; definitely one to look out for for all you noir fans out there.

SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED

My score: 7.5/10.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

bataguila

Nov 14, 2018

Hueva!!!! La historia se enreda mucho, sobran personajes, no se si deja mal o peor a los mexicanos. El final es una mamada

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Compi24

Apr 7, 2018

What starts out as a murder mystery, slowly -- and I mean slowly -- expands itself into a thin, unfocused portrait of an border town with so many prejudices dwelling within its inhabitants, yet so little at stake overall. If I only had a nickel for every time I looked at the TV screen afterWhat starts out as a murder mystery, slowly -- and I mean slowly -- expands itself into a thin, unfocused portrait of an border town with so many prejudices dwelling within its inhabitants, yet so little at stake overall. If I only had a nickel for every time I looked at the TV screen after a character explained the implications of some event and asked, simply, "so?" There's just no urgency at all here, and though some of the political undertones are undoubtedly relevant and timely, a political ensemble piece isn't the movie I was sold by the film's logline or first few minutes. This is a watchable, competently performed, yet ultimately droll, sluggish, and forgettable, low-energy drama with a poorly-realized, thinly veiled mystery at its center.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Bradh6886

Jan 18, 2021

Mess of unwatchable subplots sloppily strung together featuring a lifeless ensemble. Literally facepalming by the 12th overused flashback transition. No efforts made to create interest in any of the characters. Title is indicative of rating.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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18	#18 Best Movie of 1996
50	#50 Most Discussed Movie of 1996
27	#27 Most Shared Movie of 1996