Rating 4.2 out of 5: One of the most beautiful films in the history of cinema is back after 40 years

What is it about?

A man suddenly appears after four years of wandering, during which he gives no explanation to his brother who has come to find him. They travel to Los Angeles to find the son of a former missing person, with whom he travels to Texas in search of Jane, the baby’s mother.

A quest for the unknown, a mutual discovery unites these two creatures with a troubled past.

It is one of those films that defies the test of time and the beauty of its imagery lingers on the viewer’s retina for a long time. Paris, Texas is a perfect example. Winner of the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 37th Cannes Film Festival in 1984, Wim Wenders’ film continues to captivate and inspire crowds as its poetry and emotion remain intact.

Poetry and emotion intact

Written by actor and writer Sam Shepard, the story begins in the West Texas desert, where a graceful figure wanders like a ghost in the middle of the dry land. Wearing a red hat and a frumpy suit, the Tramp (Harry Dean Stanton) walks wordlessly into a bar before collapsing from exhaustion.

A man named Travis, who has been missing for four years, is joined by his brother, Walt (Dean Stockwell), who has come to pick him up to bring him back to California. If the first contacts are difficult, the dialogue is very quickly restored between the two persons.

In order to right the wrongs of the past, the ex-dead has no choice but to return to his previous life, find his youngest son, Hunter (Hunter Carson), who is now eight years old, and set off in search of his mother, Jane. (Nastasia Kinski).

Impressive visual beauty

Paris, Texas is its own family drama. This singularity is due to the direction of Wim Wenders and the work of director of photography Robbie Muller. Each of his frames is compared to the exact works of the artist – like Edward Hopper, some of whose paintings bear a resemblance to the images of the Dutch cinematographer.

The shots are wide, often empty, with a mix of different colors, from gas station lights to sky gradients, mostly shot at dusk.

There is also a contrast between the Texas city and Houston’s impressive highways and structures in which the characters get lost. The aesthetics of the film give the story a unique aura between dream and sadness.

And how can we not mention Rye Cooper’s hypnotic music, which gently accompanies the characters’ numerous car journeys?

An intoxicating drama

Never a tearjerker, Paris, Texas finds the power of its emotion thanks to the tremendous performances of its cast, starting with Harry Dean Stanton, who gives the role of his career here.

The performer offers an immersion into the broken life of a man in search of love and redemption. In the silent first part of the film, the character slowly reveals himself and wins the hearts of the audience by trying to piece together the many fragments of his past.

Around him, Dean Stockwell and Aurora Clement are raging in the shoes of the couple who had to take the dead man’s son under their wing. Young Hunter Carson, only eight years old at the time of filming, impresses with his accuracy and naturalness in front of the camera.

The last face on the screen is Nastassia Kinski, who manages, in just a few scenes, to offer a feature film its most beautiful moments, some of which have become iconic today.

A critically acclaimed film

The film, which was rated 4.2 out of 5 by our internet users, was also well received by critics.

for the world, “Paris, Texas There is an absolute beauty that we seek more than ever… This film opens all horizons…“

Pour Libération welcomes the performance of “Harry Dean Stanton, in the lead role of Travis, is so present, from the first frame to infinity, that he manages to overshadow all the other actors (no matter how luxurious), including the amazing Nastassia Kinski, until the doll dies. for that…“

For Télérama, it is “A film full of emotion, a fascinating piece of fiction… a long, sentimental pause of great beauty, with stunning modesty and skill.“

For Les Inrocks “Paris, Texas It hasn’t aged a bit. On the contrary, it is remarkable for its consistency and simplicity of development..”

Finally, for The Guardian, “The movie is amazing. It rediscovers the magical aspect of cinema. And we should all be grateful to him…“

Paris, Texas is in theaters in a restored 4K print distributed by Tamasa.