Review of The Last Picture Show (95)

Plot
In Anarene, Texas, two best friends, Sonny and Duane, endure the awkward period of life between boyhood and manhood by passing their time the best way they know how -- with the movie house, basketball, and girls. However, the town is dying a quiet death as folks head for the big cities to make their livings and raise their kids. The boys are torn between a future somewhere out there beyond the borders of the town or making do with what they have. As high school graduation approaches, they learn some difficult lessons about love, loneliness, and jealousy.

Jason's Thoughts
I will admit that it took me two viewings of this movie to fully appreciate it. After watching it the first time, I honestly didn't like it at all. For me, the slow pacing of the movie made it tough to watch and I couldn't quite get into it. I was ready to give the movie a 1-star rating until Crystal told me how much she loved it. I decided to give it one more try and watched it again the following night, and I am glad I did.

The pacing of the film is deliberate, which, along with the black and white cinematography, adds to the emptiness of the town and the people who live there. The older residents regret their choices of the past as the younger ones are bound to repeat it if they stick around long enough. This cycle will continue with the only relief being that of drinking, promiscuity and death. Almost depressing to think about, but having grown up in a small town, it's not too far from the truth.

Crystal's Thoughts
Unlike my hubby, I only had to watch this movie once. I think if I would have more time to watch it a second time, I would have as I truly enjoyed this movie and its message. While the movie was a bit odd at times due to its sexual innuendos, once you can overlook that, you can let the movie into your soul. For me, I think I best related to it since I grew up in that small town, wanting the entire time nothing but to get out and create my own life.

Duane was the best example of this as after Jacy broke up with him to move on with the life she wanted, fled to Mexico. It was interesting though as how he returned, but notably only for a short while until joining the military. Sonny, on the other hand, never moved on, one of the few characters who did remain until the end. He seemed to portray the individual who needed to stay and ensure that the small town kept going. Without him, it would not have kept thriving, if you can even call it that. For him, another reason held him to the town, and that was love. He had fallen in love with an older woman, his coach's wife, Ruth.

This love brought the movie full circle I felt. During the movie, we had seen how Sam and Lois had loved one another but denied themselves of it. Lois proved how she had made the wrong choice and had loved Sam all of her life. Sonny finally allowed himself to apply this to his own relationships, though in many ways, denying it all along had taken a lot from him, including many he cared for.

On a final note, I think a person could watch this movie many, many times and still have a revelation about a point they hadn't seen prior. The movie alludes to a power you do not realize until it ends.

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