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Lone Star

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Lone Star

R

Released Jun 21, 1996

2h 14m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

141 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In the Texas border town of Frontera, Sheriff Sam Deeds (Chris Cooper) digs up the past when he finds an old skull in the desert. As he traces the murder of Sheriff Charlie Wade (Kris Kristofferson) 40 years earlier, Deeds' investigation points toward his late father, the much-loved Deputy Buddy Deeds. Ignoring warnings not to delve any deeper, Sam rekindles a romance with his high school sweetheart while bringing up old tensions in the town and exposing secrets long put to rest.

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Critics Consensus

Smart and absorbing, Lone Star represents a career high point for writer-director John Sayles -- and '90s independent cinema in general.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

one Star is a richly and densely achieved movie that gets a lot of storytelling done in two and a quarter hours; it is thoughtful and complex and grownup.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 15, 2024

Full Review

Jake Cole

Slant Magazine

John Sayles’s Lone Star is among the most literary films ever made.

Jan 24, 2024

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Robert Faires

Austin Chronicle

Sayles is able to touch on the humanity of each [character] and the details of the region -- the heat, the beautiful but often unforgiving landscape, and especially the pride of the residents -- are vivid and true.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 6, 2023

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Michael J. Casey

Boulder Weekly

If you haven’t seen "Lone Star" before, you’ll be gob-smacked a movie this good isn’t talked about more.

Rated: 5/5

Jan 25, 2024

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Juan Rodriguez Flores

La Opinion

The geographic space of Lone Star has a singular historical, psychological and emotional resonance within the intimate life of those who inhabit it. [Full review in Spanish]

Sep 6, 2023

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Peter Keough

Boston Phoenix

Lone Star offers all the satisfaction of a deftly structured, deeply intelligent novel or a luminous canvas for the imagination -- not to mention a mirror for the subjective processes of memory and desire.

Sep 6, 2023

Full Review

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Brad S. R

An excellent contemporary western/murder mystery from the ever-surprising John Sayles.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/28/25

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Farah R

A well-written and brilliantly-acted drama, albeit slow, Lone Star offers an enriching viewing experience for movie lovers.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/06/24

Full Review

G M

Stacked with great actors delivering compelling performances, this film captivates through its rich storytelling. The flashbacks to the past are undoubtedly the best part, providing depth and a backstory that keeps you engaged. However, the present-day scenes feel a bit boring and tend to drag, lacking the excitement of the historical sequences. Overall, it’s a good film if you’re comfortable with a slow-paced drama, but those looking for an action-packed experience akin to “L.A. Confidential” might find it disappointing.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/07/24

Full Review

John H

Great story and movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/05/24

Full Review

Glen M

Masterpiece a great script turned in to a great film by wonderful actors and deft director

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/07/23

Full Review

Kevin L

Great John Sayles movie. Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Pena and Kris Kristofferson are all terrific. Would've liked to have seen more of McGonaughey's character rather than just the legend talk. But I get why Sayles went the route he did. Needed to build the legend to draw minds from thoughts of a cover-up. Bit soap opera-y/melodramatic at times for me, but this sort of drama often is. 3.7 stars

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/14/23

Full Review

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John Sayles

Director

Chris Cooper

Sheriff Sam Deeds

Elizabeth Peña

Pilar Cruz

Joe Morton

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Ron Canada

Otis Payne

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Synopsis

In the Texas border town of Frontera, Sheriff Sam Deeds (Chris Cooper) digs up the past when he finds an old skull in the desert. As he traces the murder of Sheriff Charlie Wade (Kris Kristofferson) 40 years earlier, Deeds' investigation points toward his late father, the much-loved Deputy Buddy Deeds. Ignoring warnings not to delve any deeper, Sam rekindles a romance with his high school sweetheart while bringing up old tensions in the town and exposing secrets long put to rest.

Director: John Sayles
Producer: Maggie Renzi, R. Paul Miller
Screenwriter: John Sayles
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Castle Rock Entertainment, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 21, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.1M
Runtime: 2h 14m
Sound Mix: Surround

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