The west is done a deal more realistically here by writer-director John Sayles, who focuses on character and plot more than atmosphere and legend.
Sayles is more than happy to explode the myth of the pure as pure lawman putting things right in his town. Instead he gives us racial tensions, troubled minority groups and Sheriff Sam Deeds, an uneasy man whose dominant, well-loved father still haunts him years after his death.
Chris Cooper is solid and reliable as "Sheriff Junior", and alongside him the passionate Elizabeth Pena is most admirable as his long lost sweetheart. As the larger than life Sheriff Buddy Deeds, Matthew McConaughey gets to do little, so the show-stealing is left to Kris Kristofferson, who personifies heartless cruelty as the much maligned and feared Sheriff Charlie Wade. Stuart Dryburgh's photography of arid Texas also deserves top billing.
All credit though to Sayles' screenplay that gets you interested without really trying.
Monday, October 12, 1998 - Hoyts Croydon
Sayles is more than happy to explode the myth of the pure as pure lawman putting things right in his town. Instead he gives us racial tensions, troubled minority groups and Sheriff Sam Deeds, an uneasy man whose dominant, well-loved father still haunts him years after his death.
Chris Cooper is solid and reliable as "Sheriff Junior", and alongside him the passionate Elizabeth Pena is most admirable as his long lost sweetheart. As the larger than life Sheriff Buddy Deeds, Matthew McConaughey gets to do little, so the show-stealing is left to Kris Kristofferson, who personifies heartless cruelty as the much maligned and feared Sheriff Charlie Wade. Stuart Dryburgh's photography of arid Texas also deserves top billing.
All credit though to Sayles' screenplay that gets you interested without really trying.
Monday, October 12, 1998 - Hoyts Croydon