Lone Star – Review

Told between past and present, the slow-burn mystery of Lone Star presents a well-acted murder investigation and rippling life-drama. As an aged body with a badge is unearthed in a small Texan border town, the local sheriff Sam Deeds (Cooper) begins his search for answers.

Sam is well-known locally as son of the late former sheriff legend Buddy Deeds (McConaughey). Sam himself did not love growing up under the commanding and unforgiving Buddy, especially since his father was vehemently against a romance with a young Tejano named Pilar (Peña). Young teenage Sam left town to escape the grasp of Buddy, who himself was still a deputy under the existing Sheriff Charlie Wade (Kristofferson).

Sheriff Wade was famous for corruption, hostility, and going missing decades ago, so it is no real surprise when it is determined early on that he is the body. As Sam looks into his dad’s old boss Charlie, there is no choice but to confront his own past and face his feelings about growing up under Buddy. It remains unclear what the investigation will bring, but Sam pushes onward down a windy path. Not all conclusions are easy ones to reconcile with, and the film holds a strong focus on human behavior and consequence.

My only real complaint is that it’s a tad long, but for the most part it does not drag. The performances are fantastic all around, yet Frances McDormand somehow still stands out, like usual. The story is slow to unfold and for the most part definitely has enough twisting and turning to fill the longish runtime. The script and core mystery are fairly good and realistic, however there is as much time given to drama and introspection as there is investigation and sleuthing.

One bonus of a longer runtime Is that Lone Star is able to touch on all sorts of life-related themes, including many aspects of family life as well as local Texan race relations. As it was made in the mid-90s it is a period piece at this point, but plays just as well today, and while the mysteries of the movie are indeed solved, not all answers bring happiness.