Texasville (1990)

 VIEW FROM THE SET OF "TEXASVILLE" - A FUNNY LOOK AT REAL LIFE & DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES

EVEN THOUGH MY SON, JIMMY HOWELL, PLAYED THE 10 YR. OLD TWIN OF JEFF BRIDGES AND ANNIE POTTS IN THIS MOVIE, and we were on the set the entire filming (Aug - Nov '89)......I am glad to read E. Currie's review below that states that "Texasville" "is now widely recgonized as an excellent film". I saw the hard work and long hours that Peter Bogdanovich and the crew spent on making this film. This was my first experience on a movie set.

I think the movie is funny, yet sad, in showing the reality of so many lives; where people, situations and relationships are complicated and messy. Annie Potts said it best to me at the premier..."This movie is a reflection of true life, where there is no real ending..life just goes on!"

I would suggest watching "The Last Picture Show" before "Texasville", so you will understand the history of the characters, and be able to keep up with the characters easier. Also, the book 'Texasville' is hysterical to read! By reading the book, you will also understand the characters and movie better. The screenplay is true to the book, but sadly much had to be left out.

Unfortunately, many funny scenes ended up on the cutting room floor! I WISH SOMEONE WOULD ALLOW PETER TO RELEASE THE DIRECTOR'S CUT OF "TEXASVILLE", as Peter shot several hours of wonderful film, but was limited to release only 2 hrs. THE LONGER, DIRECTOR'S CUT (which was on cable), EXPLAINS MUCH MORE .. (such as Benny, Cybill's dead child, which my younger son, Christopher, 6 yrs. old at the time, "played" in photos).

Also........regarding J Eric Miller's review below, on Aug. 12, 2004.........HE NEEDS TO GET HIS ACTORS STRAIGHT!! He refers to my son, Jimmy Howell, who was 10 YRS OLD AT THE TIME.......as ".... impossible to believe as someone that the girls just fall all over ("one in a million")." LOL !! Mr. Miller was obviously referring to William (Billy) McNamara, who played Duane's (Jeff Bridges) OLDEST, TEENAGE SON, who continued to act in some great films!

Jimmy and his twin sister (in the film), were SUPPOSE to be spoiled, "CUTE" brats, and this was their only movie. Jimmy wanted to play football, and went on to West Point (Go Army!) on a football scholarship and graduated. He has completed 3 tours of duty, fighting the war on terror.

IF ANY OF YOU GET THE CHANCE TO VISIT ARCHER CITY, TX., GO....IT REALLY LOOKED AND FELT LIKE A MOVIE SET IN 1989! Last I heard, Larry McMurtry (who just won an Academy Award for "Brokeback Mountain"...and caused an uproar by wearing blue jeans to accept the award on stage) had a bookstore in town. May 28, 2006

 Excellent Sequel.
Although not well received by the critics, this sequel to The Last Picture Show is now widely recognised as an excellent film.

Laced with explicit and tacit references to the old days, it rekindles that unique atmosphere so meticulously created by Bogdanovich in the original. There are many contrasts, though. This film is set in summer amid stifling heat while its forerunner was icy cold, with the wild Texas wind howling throughout. The overall feel of the film is similarly hot and potent, a far cry from the desolation of the original.

The characters have moved on too yet many of their traits persist. Duane uncertain, Sonny looking like a lost soul, still seeing his own last picture show in his mind and Jacy elegant yet austere. Lester, still awkward is now a manic banker teetering on the brink of disaster.

Beautifully shot, this really is a commendable effort to continue the story, albeit decades on. The spirits of Benny and Sam the Lion loom large and the transient nature of life is carefully and starkly exposed.
May 7, 2006

 A sleeper of a movie
This movie, although not well-known, is a pleasant surprise. It is a very good sequel to The Last Picture Show. For anyone living in Texas in the mid-1980's it has special meaning - the fall in oil prices, the frequent bankrupties, and the general feeling of malaise. The characterization is especially good, as is typical of McMurtry. Jeff Bridges is superb. It is the type of movie that one can enjoy seeing several times, since the characters fit so well together. For a movie done in the 1980's the technical production is also very acceptable. March 9, 2006

 Cast of "Last Picture Show" (1971) return 19 years later.
If you were drawn into The Last Picture Show (1971), it's sequel, "Texasville (1990) will bring some closure.
Archer City, Texas is revisited nearly 20 years later. Returning is Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Bridges, Cybill Shepard, Cloris Leachman, Eileen Brennan, Randy Quaid, Barc Doyle as "Joe Bob Blanton", Loyd Catlett as "Leroy" and Gordon Hurst who was "Sheriff Burns" now plays "Monroe".
Peter Bogdanovich is the director again and given some writing credit again. Larry McMurtry who wrote the novels is given writing credit as well. Ross Brown got to cast again.
The old downtown of Archer City, Texas is seen again and the old movie house now in disrepair.
Some people thought this storyline for a part 2 was a disappointment, but if you think about it, the town has grown and people have changed. It could have been more dramatic though. It was fun to see the original cast together again. I'm glad most of them agreed to return.
After this film, the old Royal movie house was rebuilt to be fully used again.
The late Sal Mineo is given thanks for giving Director Peter Bogdanovich a copy of the novel "The Last Picture Show" which Bogdanovich turned into a movie for 1971.
I would like Larry McMurtry to write a third book about this cast of characters and see another film. February 17, 2005

 texasville
the most hillarious film ever made that involves rich disfunctional families next to dallas !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! December 6, 2004

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