Here we have a man who could be called "a Head of his time". David Byrne and his bittersweet band's brand of social commentary are simply sublime. Here he tries to translate that into a docu-comedy and the result is remarkable and has become in retrospect and artifact of the 80's.It was a natural crossover because of the MTV and Music-Video explosion (the Heads made some of the best) that was, probably, lost in the excess, of said videos, in its own design at the time. The movie is a colorful and witty wonder through a surreal suburban ("what are fields for except to build houses") landscape populated with nice, but shallow, people trying to find their way to the American dream on the highway ("the cathedrals of our time") of life.One wonders why this artistic talent (graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design) who has a degree in film, never gave it another try. Because this move could stand alongside the works of David Lynch, Robert Altman, Jim Jarmusch, and Tim Burton as a wonderful first film.A movie that will be viewed for generations and will eventually become a "Classic", if it hasn't already. A Cult Classic now to be sure, but eventually will be on display in the "Museum of the Mind" forever.

Celebrated art rocker David Byrne introduces the citizens of Virgil, Texas, a typical American small town preparing to observe its sesquicentennial with a 'celebration of specialness'. The narrator/tour guide (and neophyte film director) cultivates an attitude of deadpan naiveté (through awkward postures and dry non-sequiturs), which in certain circles passes for the ultimate in cool behavior. But his film is built on a fundamental flaw: contrary to the title, none of it is true. The town of Virgil, with all its eccentric residents (ostensibly inspired by supermarket tabloid news stories) is entirely fictional, and the scripted mock-documentary format only makes each slice of bucolic whimsy look totally artificial.In the end the project serves no real purpose except as a unique promotional tie-in to the latest album by The Talking Heads, a musical group whose high-tech, post-New Wave sophistication is entirely at odds with the offbeat Americana displayed here. Compare the film with similar efforts by Errol Morris or Ross McElwee (or Christopher Guest) for better perspective.

I saw this movie after having spent three years in Mississippi. Byrne and Henley absolutely nailed everyday southern folk. I love Byrne's sense of humor throughout the movie. When the film premiered in my area, I found myself laughing out loud. The seven other people in the theater kept hissing at me: "Shut up! It's NOT funny!"This is a film that I can watch over and over and never get tired of it. From Byrne's hysterical non-sequiturs ("This is not a rental car -- this is privately owned!") to the terrific music to the gorgeous cinematography, it's a joyful experience.What really drives this movie, though, are the great characters. John Goodman, in one of his early film roles, was a perfect match in his role as Louis Fine, working in the "clean room" at Vericorp by day and looking for love by night. Spalding Grey is memorable as the narrow- minded and somewhat pompous big cheese in the town. The rest of the cast is just as good, including the Cute Woman and the Lying Woman. There's no conventional plot. Byrne is basically making a documentary about a small Texas town and how it's celebrating the state's 150th anniversary. But what you really see is small-town life and how it's gradually changing to keep up with modern times.In one wonderful sequence, the camera is quietly tracking past a new housing development. An instrumental version of the song "Dream Operator" plays in the background. And Byrne says, "Look at this. Who can say it isn't beautiful?" That's very true of the whole movie.

This movie made me a different person, to watch David Byrne was a heartwarming experience. Sometimes it's a slow moving picture but it picks up the pace in just the right time to make you feel involved in the characters. To put it frank - this was a mind blowing experience. Some people may come to the conclusion that this is just a simple movie about simple people - and these people are right. But my dear friends, ask yourselves; how often do you see that - once in a lifetime! The reason that I haven't said anything concrete about the movie is that it's a picture in the same class as Lost Highway, try to say something about that movie, it's not easy, see it and become a better human being.