Sam Deeds (Chris Cooper) has long been suspicious of his father's involvement in the disappearance of local sheriff Charlie Wade (played in flashback by Kris Kristofferson). Sam's father, Buddy Deeds (played in flashback by Matthew McConaughey) is now deceased also, but stood to gain the most from the death of Wade as Buddy would become sheriff. But the town seems to adore Buddy Deeds long after his death.
Now Deeds has returned to his dusty Texas home town along the Rio Grande after a long absence and has, himself, become sheriff. When a skeleton and Masonic ring are found in the desert, it's clear that Charlie Wade had been dead a long time and Sam Deeds needs to find the truth even if it implicates his father.
The story is made more complex as Sam's infatuation with a schoolmate, Pilar Cruz (Elizabeth Pena), continues. Her mother, Mercedes Cruz (Miriam Colon), owns the town cafe and is the most successful Mexican in the area. Meanwhile, Otis Page (Ron Canada) is likely the most successful black man in the community. He owns a popular bar that is frequented by soldiers from the nearby Army base. Otis' estranged son, Colonel Delmore Payne (Joe Morton), has only recently arrived to command the base. Delmore's son Chet (Eddie Robinson) wants to know his grandfather but Delmore won't encourage it.
This is a big and long film -- over two hours -- but held my attention as layer after layer of town secrets are revealed.
One of director John Sayles's best.
Rated R for brief language, sex and violence.
My personal rating: A-
Now Deeds has returned to his dusty Texas home town along the Rio Grande after a long absence and has, himself, become sheriff. When a skeleton and Masonic ring are found in the desert, it's clear that Charlie Wade had been dead a long time and Sam Deeds needs to find the truth even if it implicates his father.
The story is made more complex as Sam's infatuation with a schoolmate, Pilar Cruz (Elizabeth Pena), continues. Her mother, Mercedes Cruz (Miriam Colon), owns the town cafe and is the most successful Mexican in the area. Meanwhile, Otis Page (Ron Canada) is likely the most successful black man in the community. He owns a popular bar that is frequented by soldiers from the nearby Army base. Otis' estranged son, Colonel Delmore Payne (Joe Morton), has only recently arrived to command the base. Delmore's son Chet (Eddie Robinson) wants to know his grandfather but Delmore won't encourage it.
This is a big and long film -- over two hours -- but held my attention as layer after layer of town secrets are revealed.
One of director John Sayles's best.
Rated R for brief language, sex and violence.
My personal rating: A-
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