This is a remarkable film on a number of levels, not the least of which is the startling reveal at the end of the story regarding the relationship between Sam Deeds (Chris Cooper) and Pilar Cruz (Elizabeth Pena). Additionally, two of the principal characters are already dead and seen only in flashback scenes. I can't recall this device employed in any prior films I've seen, and this adds to the complexity of the story's non-linear narrative.Above all perhaps is the sophisticated writing and direction of John Sayles, who handles the topics of racism and incest in a straightforward but non judgmental manner. I have to say, the ending left me conflicted about the direction the relationship between Sam and Pilar might take. As offspring of the same father, I would have expected there to be a lot more turmoil and conflicted feelings between the two after Sam explains everything he learned about his father's past. The dialog between the characters allows the viewer to reach their own conclusion about where they go from here, though to me it seems they were open to making things work out for themselves.The thing that really jolted me in this story was the person of Sheriff Charlie Wade as portrayed by Kris Kristofferson. I've never seen Kristofferson reach so low in the gutter before to create a character like the former sheriff. He was just vile with no regard for normal decency or human kindness. What happened to Charlie Wade was the lesser of two significant twists in the story. Having set up the viewer to expect that he was killed by former deputy Buddy Deeds (Matthew McConaughey), Sayles once again stuns the viewer with the circumstances of Wade's death. Unquestionably, "Lone Star" is masterful story telling with a masterful cast.

Great acting by Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Pena, Matthew McCounaghy, and Kris Krostofferson help make this movie into the fine viewing experience it is.Chris Cooper, playing Sam Deeds, is seeking to know how a skeleton found on a old firing range is connected to his late father, Buddy Deeds. Buddy is a legend in the Southwestern Texas town.The atmosphere with Mexicans, blacks, illegals, white townspeople all in the mix, is great. You feel like you are there experiencing the tensions and clash of cultures good and bad.The mystery builds and with it a fantastic love story with an unexpected plot twist.Highly recommended. John Sayles has created a masterpiece here.

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 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: RECOMMENDEDMy score: 7.5/10.You can find an expanded version of this review on my blog: Thoughts of a SteelMonster.

Sam Deeds is the son of a late but much beloved Texas county sheriff who has inherited his father's job. But when a body is dug up from forty years ago and Sam investigates he discovers his father's illustrious past contains some dark and painful secrets ...This Texican murder mystery is one of Sayles' many beautifully constructed and densely populated character dramas (see also City Of Hope and Sunshine State) where, as with so much of his work, every single person is interesting, thoughtful and fully-rounded. This film is also a beautiful example of how to elegantly switch a narrative back and forward through two different eras, both visually through lovely little panning shots which dip in and out of time, and plot-wise as gradually the gauze covering the complex relationships is slowly lifted to reveal what has made the characters who they are. This is immensely satisfying as the pieces fit together, delicately played by a sensational ensemble cast who understand exactly what the story is trying to achieve. Cooper and Peña are both superb as the middle-aged leads, both working county jobs, both struggling to find any meaning to their lives, both unable to move on from a fateful past together. The older actors steal the show with irascible wit, and pragmatism and regret written in equal measure on their faces - Canada in particular is outstanding - and Morton is terrific as ever in one of many parts for Sayles as the no-nonsense army man forced to embrace the tenderness he has long considered a weakness. Perhaps the casting masterstroke though is country legend Kristofferson as the thoroughly evil ghost from the past, whose violent brand of personal justice is horrifyingly plausible. Full of poignant moments, clever misdirection, evocative locations, heartfelt performances and funny lines (when Sam is headed to Mexico and tells a colleague he's going to "the other side", the response is "Republicans ?"), with a fine story and a great ending, this is high quality drama all the way. Shot in the beautiful south-western Texas border cities of Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Laredo.