Lone Star

(John Sayles, US 1996,  135 min., 35mm)

This multigenerational tale of law enforcement and racial prejudice along the Texas-Mexico border features a sterling set of performances and a dense, twisty mystery. New sheriff Sam Deeds (Chris Cooper) has returned to Frontera, Texas, after years away from his legendary father and previous sheriff, Buddy (Matthew McConaughey). When a corpse discovered on the local army base is discovered to be Buddy’s predecessor, Charlie Wade (Kris Kristofferson), Sam must dig into Frontera’s past and the history of the sheriff’s department, uncovering long-hidden secrets. Elizabeth Peña, Joe Morton, Tony Plana, and Frances McDormand also star.