Paris, Texas (1983)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Graham J

  
  Eyes glued to the screen from beginning to end. Plus my favorite score of all time, provided by Ry Cooder, interpreting Dark Was The Night by Blind Willie Johnson.

• Reid V

  
  In terms of film-making, the term "simple" is often used as a pejorative. But sometimes the simplest of stories can yield some of the most compelling results. Win Wenders' 1984 "Paris, Texas", is a modest yet moving portrait of a man in search of his roots.… More
  In terms of film-making, the term "simple" is often used as a pejorative. But sometimes the simplest of stories can yield some of the most compelling results. Win Wenders' 1984 "Paris, Texas", is a modest yet moving portrait of a man in search of his roots. Harry Dean Stanton is as amazing as ever as a man who, after a four year separation from his family, has come back find who he was/is. Much like Wenders' "Wings of Desire", much attention is given to the setting to show how seemingly insignificant we are in comparison to our surroundings. Yet, rather than war torn Germany, Paris, Texas features panoramic shots of the Texas badlands. With a character so arcane and withdrawn from the world, Wenders utilizes the power of atmosphere coupled with Stanton's acting prowess to fill in the parts of the story where the words won't suffice. It is a story about the path to finding one's identity and Wenders finds so many ways to convey this journey.The freeway scene is a brilliant metaphor for how we as humans go through life. We seem to be traveling down this open road at breakneck speed, making last minute lane changes in hopes to catch up with the life we so desire. The film moves at a snails pace, but I get the sense that Wenders doesn't want to rush Travis' journey. I think it is a smart touch as by the films conclusion, one feels that we were allowed to drink in so much of his life that his image kind of sticks with us. There have been many times in my life where I have felt like a Travis and I think the film beautifully encapsulates the confusing and often heart wrenching journey that one must take in order to find out who they really are.

• danny d

  
  poetic in that it is simple in some ways, but epic in others and very emotionally compelling. the film has been described as the great german director wim wender's love letter to america. the beautiful cinematography brings an appeal to the southwest not noticed by most passers… More
  poetic in that it is simple in some ways, but epic in others and very emotionally compelling. the film has been described as the great german director wim wender's love letter to america. the beautiful cinematography brings an appeal to the southwest not noticed by most passers by, and the musical score is absolutely masterful. the performances were outstanding, and the characters and story unfolded perfectly, until the last scene, about which im not sure how i feel. it is odd to see a story told so well until the realization that two of our most important characters are left in the dust of the desert the film is set in, and all i keep thinking is "what happened to walt and anne?" this is the one thing holding the film back from masterpiece status, but it is still one of the best films i have ever seen.

• Chris W

  
  To see the United States from an outsider's perspective is a wondrous and interesting thing.This film, and its director, really reminded me a lot of Werner Herzog. Both Herzog and Wenders are German, both have done road/journey movies, have used similar Americana type… More
  To see the United States from an outsider's perspective is a wondrous and interesting thing.This film, and its director, really reminded me a lot of Werner Herzog. Both Herzog and Wenders are German, both have done road/journey movies, have used similar Americana type soundtracks, and have made films giving a unique view of the U.S. In this case, it is the southwest. The Herzog film it most reminds me of is my favorite of is: a perplexing and wild and strange gem called "Stroszek". This film is just as strange, although I do not find it to quite be the masterpiece it is often heraldd as being. Don't get me wrong, it is fantastic, but I found it hard to get completely immersed in. It's a bit hard to sit through. At times though, when I was able to really tune into the same wavelength this was on, it was quite great. This film begins like some sort of mystery, and indeed it takes the whole film to really find out what happened, but it lacks the traditional shenanigans of the mystery genre. Even when the answers come to light, I was left unsatisfied and wanting more. That's not a bad thing, either. WHile there is a story and plot, it is not really about those things. Instead, this is more of a meditation on character, emotions, loneliness, and despair. That Stanton's character is a man of few words (quite literally) is one of the many things that make this film a curiosity worthy of seeking out. Stanton is a brilliant character actor, and this was his first time to take the lead. He's wonderful, and I wish more people would take advantage of his abilities and let him lead more often. The little kid gives one of the better and more interesting performances by a child, and Stockwell is also nice. The two women, while pretty good ,left a little to be desired. The performances aren't bad, just overshadowed. Besides the acting, the best reaosn to watch this are the music and the cinematography. Ry Cooder's music here is probably the definitive drifter theme in all of cinema and in general. Robby Müller's cinematography is some of the best work done in the last thirty years. From the neon to the vast expanses of landscapes shots, everything looks gorgeous. The way that light and shadow are dealt with is also quite stunning. As mentioend above, this film is a bit trying on the patience. While it could be a little shorter, I think the real issue here is the pacing. It both works for and agaisnt the film. It's good that the story unfolds graudally, because that's part of the intrigue, but I think it takes a bit too long at times, and the viewer may wonder why some stuff is focused on longer than it should be. I'm giving this 4.5 or an A- in letter grade terms, but I'm not sure how I really feel about this one. I'm mixed on it, and am not sure how to really accurately describe or grade it. I think that's a sign that this is worth checking out.

• Alice S

  
  I thought I had this movie all figured out. I thought Travis had gotten into a car accident that killed his wife, and that's why he's mildly catatonic and refuses to drive or sit in the front seat of an automobile. Well, now I'll eat my hat. This movie is, as Jim… More
  I thought I had this movie all figured out. I thought Travis had gotten into a car accident that killed his wife, and that's why he's mildly catatonic and refuses to drive or sit in the front seat of an automobile. Well, now I'll eat my hat. This movie is, as Jim Hunter describes, "a long, perambulating film," but I never thought it tried to be deep or understated. There is so much exposition in Travis' confessional that any Intro to Playwriting class would ream it a new arsehole, but for some reason, it works. Perhaps it's because the characters aren't looking at each other. Perhaps it's because Harry Dean Stanton is just so straightforward about it all: his rage, his brutality, his numbness. He's neither overstated nor understated; he's just stated. Perhaps it's because of Nastassja Kinski's complex good girl/bad girl duality. Her coy yet cautious follow-up questions show that she's not entirely naive; she has an inkling about who's on the other side, but she IS still naive enough to will herself to believe it's not so. Hunter Carson as the precocious, young son is mighty impressive. Hunter and Jane's reunion scene is so unexpected. It's not tearful (at first). It's not resentful. It's not deep. It just is. Hunter gets up, walks over, holds out his arms for an embrace, all at an aching adagio pace. Lastly, I think I've found a gesture that rivals the inexplicably beautiful woman-putting-on-stud-earrings tableau: woman's-hand-resting-on-clavicle. I mean, looking like Nastassja Kinski might help too.

• Jim H

  
  The film opens with a man walking in worn-out shoes across the desert, and that image perfectly describes my feelings about the film as a whole. It is a long, perambulating film that tries to be understated but ends up as a let-down that even Sam Shepherd's beautiful writing,… More
  The film opens with a man walking in worn-out shoes across the desert, and that image perfectly describes my feelings about the film as a whole. It is a long, perambulating film that tries to be understated but ends up as a let-down that even Sam Shepherd's beautiful writing, Harry Dean Stanton's fine acting, and Nastassja Kinski's gorgeous face (she's the prettiest crier since Ingrid Bergman) can't save. Much of act one does little to set up the film's primary conflict, which doesn't really reveal itself until midway through act two, which is too long to wait to understand to what dramatic question we should attach ourselves. And even the reason why Stanton's character finds direction on his journey is ironically too quickly developed and resolved. I found myself thinking that even a seven-year-old in all his seven-year-old naivete wouldn't forgive that easily. Overall, I think the film should have started about forty minutes into the story, and it would have achieved the same effect.

• Ken S

  
  Plenty of praise has been heaped on this. Most of it deserved.

• Jennifer D

  
  Beautiful shots. Truly captured the Texas landscape. Very long, but I would sit through it again.

• Anthony L

  
  A beautiful film by Wim Wenders, Harry Dean Stanton is fantastic! This is great film making, a true classic!

• Arash X

  
  How can anyone call this masterpiece boring? Interesting beautiful & touching

• Pierluigi P

  
  The film that made a name for Wim Wenders. top notch performances, namely the great Harry Dean Stanton. stunning cinematography and soundtrack. Emotional, sweet and moving.

• Stephen M

  
  After two decades' work as a dependable character actor, Harry Dean Stanton was finally given a richly deserved leading role in this, one of the most iconic films of the 1980s and one of the most beautiful films of any decade. He plays Travis, a damaged refugee from an exploded… More
  After two decades' work as a dependable character actor, Harry Dean Stanton was finally given a richly deserved leading role in this, one of the most iconic films of the 1980s and one of the most beautiful films of any decade. He plays Travis, a damaged refugee from an exploded relationship who pieces back together his life and his dignity after four years in the wilderness, gradually gaining the trust of the son he left behind and setting out to reunite the boy with his mother. I can't understand how anyone can call this a boring movie; even ignoring the great acting, the stunning visuals and the spectral majesty of Ry Cooder's soundtrack, the mystery at the core of the plot - the cataclysmic event which blew these three people apart - is as compelling as that of any detective story. The dramatic centrepiece is a hypnotic and deeply moving monologue, by Stanton, as the estranged lovers finally 'meet' again across the two-way mirror of a peep-show. Though the ending is bittersweet, the message I've always taken from "Paris, Texas" is inspirational: "Don't give up on life, even if your dreams are unattainable."

• xGary X

  
  One of those films that's impossible to adequately describe. Harry Dean Stanton is one of those faces that everyone knows without knowing they know; an understated and remarkable character actor who took very few lead roles. Add to his wonderful performance a captivating script… More
  One of those films that's impossible to adequately describe. Harry Dean Stanton is one of those faces that everyone knows without knowing they know; an understated and remarkable character actor who took very few lead roles. Add to his wonderful performance a captivating script of emotional resonance and some truly beautiful allegorical images and the result is a cinematic work of art.

• Christopher M

  
  All I can say right now, its always been one of my favourites, but after watching it tonight I realized it really sits near the top of the list, and is a perfect film. Wenders' greatest triumph, Harry Dean Stanton's greatest role, an amazingly written and shot film, that is… More
  All I can say right now, its always been one of my favourites, but after watching it tonight I realized it really sits near the top of the list, and is a perfect film. Wenders' greatest triumph, Harry Dean Stanton's greatest role, an amazingly written and shot film, that is almost beyond words. It really has to be seen by everyone.

• Gevvy S

  
  Wenders' cinematography is stunning and it is a great feat considering how much he fits into his frame in terms of the variety and assortment of colours and objects in there.

• Chris B

  
  "Paris, Texas" is another masterfully filmed and beautifully artistic film by the legendary Director Wim Wenders! The cinematography is immaculate and captivating throughout the film, especially in the expansive shots of the Texas desert. The story is personal and the… More
  "Paris, Texas" is another masterfully filmed and beautifully artistic film by the legendary Director Wim Wenders! The cinematography is immaculate and captivating throughout the film, especially in the expansive shots of the Texas desert. The story is personal and the characters are layered and likable as well as troubled and emotionally hurting. The whole story is captivating and so intimately captured on film, it's shocking it's a script and not just a real experience by ordinary people. While not having as much replay value as an action film or something a little more fast paced, this is certainly a wonderful and well paced film that demands the emotional input of it's viewers. This is an experience that is fascinating and touching and well worth your time as it's competently filmed and executed by it's great cast!

• Alec B

  
  Harry Dean Stanton and Dean Stockwell are two terribly underrated actors who are given great roles in this film. It was written by Sam Shepard who once again explores a strange and complicated relationship between father and son. The film moves very slowly to a magnificent conclusion.… More
  Harry Dean Stanton and Dean Stockwell are two terribly underrated actors who are given great roles in this film. It was written by Sam Shepard who once again explores a strange and complicated relationship between father and son. The film moves very slowly to a magnificent conclusion. It's a remarkably strong film that owes a lot of credit to the director Wim Wenders who seems to really understand the themes of Sam Shepard and translates them well to the big screen.

• Stephen E

  
  Like its protagonist, "Paris, Texas" is quiet, shy, and well-meaning. It's a beautiful little film with a fair of share of both funny and heartbreaking scenes. Harry Dean Stanton, Dean Stockwell, and Nastassja Kinski give wonderful performances.

• Brian R

  
  It's a very slow picture but at the same time it's not boring. The last quarter of the picture is mesmerizing thanks to the great performances by Harry Dean Stanton and Nastassja Kinski.

• Francisco G

  
  One of my favorite movies ever. It's dreamlike mood, haunting performances and simple questions of what's our role in all this is handled with such simplicity and grace from Wenders, it's hard not to fall for Paris, Texas.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings