- Actors: David Byrne|John Goodman|Annie McEnroe|Jo Harvey Allen
- Language English
- Classification: PG
- Studio: Warner
- Run Time: 90 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004CK7U
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,597 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have always loved True Stories, but it's not for everyone. This is one ingenious but quirky movie that plays on multiple levels all at the same time. The box cover describes True Stories as "a completely cool, multi-purpose movie," and that's about as good a description as there can be for a film almost impossible to describe. The film takes the form of a documentary of the sesquicentennial celebration in Virgil, Texas, with Talking Heads front man David Byrne cruising into town in his red convertible to narrate the events. Byrne is, in my opinion, an underappreciated genius, and what he managed to do here was to capture a wonderful slice of Americana. Virgil isn't a small town, but it has a small town feel, surrounded by flat land as far as the eye can see - land destined to be developed in the coming years. The townspeople are the true stars of the film, though; most of them are not even given names, and I think this is because they are not so much individuals as representatives of everyday men and women. You have, for example, the Laziest Woman on Earth (Swoosie Kurtz, who has not gotten out of bed for years and years), the Cute Woman, and the Lying Woman (Jo Harvey Allen) - who continually steals the show with some of the most outrageous comments you've ever heard. The silent masses are just regular people going about their regular lives, most of them the opposite of glamorous, just the kind of folks you probably see in your own local shopping malls. The only difference is that here, thanks to David Byrne, you notice these people - and I think that is very important. When these people get up and lip synch to a song like Wild Wild Life, it doesn't matter how weird they are - they are just having fun being themselves.
Of course, the star and central figure of True Stories is a reasonably svelte John Goodman; he plays Louis Fyne, a man desperate to find a woman to share his life with. He pays for ads on television, and even has a Wife Wanted sign in his front yard, but nothing seems to work. This is certainly a character I can identify with. Louis is as excited as everyone else in town over the big doings for Virgil's Celebration of Specialness. And why not? You get to see the world's strangest fashion show, enjoy the big parade featuring such sights as Shriners in little red Mustangs and a precision lawn mower marching team, and end the festivities with a great big local talent show outside of town. The parade speaks volumes; as the townsfolk watch it wind away into the distance, they may well have a sense that life as they have known it will soon disappear as the population swells and modern conveniences trump their connection to one another and the town. Despite a good bit of off-beat humor in this film, it does leave you feeling somewhat sad and nostalgic.
Of course, one has to mention the music of True Stories. It is a pity that plans to release a soundtrack featuring recordings by the actors and actresses in the film fell through because these songs are an integral part of the film (the Talking Heads supplied only three of the songs themselves). You can buy the album featuring the Talking Heads performing all of these songs (and it is an outstanding album), but People Like Us seemingly belongs to Louis Fyne after you watch the movie, and "Kay Culver" gives an unforgettable performance of Dream Operator.
Inevitably, you'll either "get" this movie or you won't, and I don't think you can predict anyone's reaction to the film until he or she actually watches it. It is exceedingly quirky, almost surreal at times, and filled with off-the-wall comments that will not even register with some viewers. I don't think it's possible to hate this movie, though. It either leaves a lasting imprint on your mind or instantly disappears from your memory. For me, True Stories is one of those rare films that I not only enjoy but actually treasure.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
The creative genius that can only be described as David Byrne has yet again spawned a work of exemplary alternative art. Byrne's off-the-wall portrayal of small town America is a deliciously bizarre and exaggerated account, one in fact that has his label stamped all over it. Heads fans will simply lap this up; the film's peculiar brand of humour and insight representative of their musical works that we are all so familiar with. Newcomers to the world of Mr. Byrne and his associates may find 'True Stories' slightly meandering but the film's wit and three Talking Heads songs, including 'Wild Wild Life', are more than adequate compensation. A sterling cast includes John Goodman and David Byrne himself.
The heat goes on, people...
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
David Byrne is best known as the front man and main creative force behind 80s band Talking Heads. His subsequent solo career has shown him to be one of our most astute and intelligent commentators on modern America in particular and modern life in general. This film reflects many of his obsessions and interests with the everyday strangeness of American life and those who live it, as well as featuring several outstanding and often bizarre versions of Talking Heads songs. While the rest of the band appear as, well, the band, Byrne himself takes the role of guide and narrator as he leads us into the sad, creepy, optimistic, gaudy, happy, peculiar, daily lives of the inhabitants of a small town in Texas. Byrne, as he often does, comes across as being set at a remove from his subjects, like an anthropologist enjoying the company of gorillas whilst being slightly wary of them and unsure of the rules by which their social interactions work. We then see the other characters in the film partly through Byrne's distorting lens, focusing unerringly on the oddity at the heart of their ordinariness. It is to Byrne's credit that he does this with clear and obvious affection for his subjects. He somehow manages to be satirical without being at all snide. The result is frequently funny, sometimes touching, always intriguing and really quite revealing.
Clearly it's not for everyone. Some will find it too weird, others perhaps not weird enough. However, if you liked Talking Heads or if you like Byrne's subsequent solo work, there's a fair chance you'll get what this movie sets out to do, which is much that same as what Byrne's music tries to do, that is to hold up a mirror to modern America in which we may see ourselves more clearly.
Clearly it's not for everyone. Some will find it too weird, others perhaps not weird enough. However, if you liked Talking Heads or if you like Byrne's subsequent solo work, there's a fair chance you'll get what this movie sets out to do, which is much that same as what Byrne's music tries to do, that is to hold up a mirror to modern America in which we may see ourselves more clearly.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
I love it but you might hate it
This is very much a love it or hate it kind of film. I unashamedly love it. It's a one of a kind - there is no other film anything like it. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Stefan43
David Byrne's creativity is excellent.
If you like Talking Heads and especially David Byrne this will either be something you already own or want to. If you're not a fan well - why are you reading this?
Published 15 months ago by J. Mein
Excellent!!!
Delivered within just a few days from the US to the UK. Brand new, works perfectly, great value. Thanks!!
Published on 12 Jun 2009 by A. Smith
David Byrne and Talking Heads go strange in Texas
If you like Talking Heads then this is a must for you. If you don't...then this is a gentle way to get into their music and mindset. Read more
Published on 3 Dec 2000 by Mrs. N. J. James
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