Paris, Texas (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

This is my favorite movie and the 4k uhd transfer looks and sounds amazing. With a good tv and an atmos soundbar, it literally feels like being in a private theater. If you like this movie this is definitely the best way to experience without leaving your house. Special features are all outstanding as well. If you don’t like this movie; why don’t you like this movie? Who hurt you and made you afraid to love the world?

Paris, Texas (1984) Drama, 147 minutes Directed by Wim Wenders Starring Harry Dean Stanton, Nastassja Kinski and Dean Stockwell The first thing to mention about Paris, Texas is how quickly the opening scene establishes a mood. We are shown sweeping shots of a desert to the sound of Ry Cooder's haunting guitar. A man who we will later know as Travis (Stanton) comes into view. He looks like he's been wandering for days. He's wearing a red cap and jeans and his beard looks several weeks old. He wanders into an isolated bar and collapses. A local clinic tends to his injuries and contacts his brother, Walt (Stockwell), who flies from Los Angeles to collect him. It's been four years since the two last met and Walt had wondered whether Travis was still alive. Travis doesn't speak during this meeting and Walt has to show extreme patience while he waits for Travis to begin explaining what happened. In a sense, the audience is in the same situation. For almost 30 minutes, the film plays out like a total mystery. Walt wants to fly Travis home because he took in his child as his own when Travis disappeared. Travis insists that they drive, and on using the same rental car Walt drove when he picked him up. We learn that Travis has bought some land in Paris, Texas, but he can't remember why. It's clear that Travis has been through a traumatic experience and has attempted to block out those memories. Travis makes two important decisions during the story: The first could spawn all manner of debate about whether it is right or wrong. His mental health is in question, and yet he makes a decision that could drastically alter someone's life; or perhaps the lives of several people. You'll have to decide for yourself whether his actions were justified. The second decision comes as a result of a meeting with a person who used to be important in his life. In the final 25 minutes of the film, we are shown a very unusual conversation. It's tense, emotional, brave, heartbreaking and elegant all at once. It's this conversation which elevates the film to the level of greatness. The ending is almost impossible to predict early in the film, and that's something I find refreshing. Here's a film with an idea and it's perfectly executed. Harry Dean Stanton has played so many colorful characters over the years, but Paris, Texas gives him his most significant role. He gives Travis depth and the film wouldn't work without him. His appearance and haunted expression fit the character and his performance is quiet, but powerful. Nastassja Kinski's performance as Jane is a revelation. Watch the subtle emotions on her face and hear how expressive her voice can be as she responds to Stanton's monologue. I'm also impressed by Hunter Carson's realistic portrayal of a young boy. It's always interesting to see things from a different viewpoint and Wim Wenders shows us how he views America. The screenplay and Ry Cooder's score work together well. This is the kind of film that seems timeless. It's a human story set in a world so large that its characters are in danger of becoming lost, but they somehow find their way. I had to make a choice of my own in this review. Should I give away the whole story so that I could discuss some of the best scenes, or should I say just enough to set the mood? I hope that I have said enough to make you interested in seeing the film. If you do, maybe you'll understand why I withheld so much information.

Amazing restoration of a truly classic film.

I have always loved this movie since I first saw it in the early 90’s. Harry Dean Stanton is so good , as is really, the whole cast. In my opinion, this is probably Wim Wenders’ best movie, and he has made many great movies.

I read somewhere that this was supposedly Kurt Cobain's favorite movie, and being a fan of the late/great Harry Dean Stanton (Wild at Heart, Repo Man) and Dean Stockwell (Blue Velvet) I took the plunge. So glad I did - excellent acting/storyline, wonderfully shot, and an interesting twist at the end (Nastassja Kinski was great in this film, too). 2 big Fonz-styled thumbs up (HEEEEEY)!!

So much to unwrap with this film. Very unique in style and story. I had seen it long ago, and I find it still holds up. Absolutely deserved a place in my movie collection. Good cast. Good story. Good direction. If you enjoy cerebral films, this is a winner.

There aren't many films that I'd consider to be idling near perfection, but I would say that about Paris, Texas. In fact, I would call this the best film of the 80s. And yes, I know that's saying a lot considering the movies that were released during that decade. A fantastic score by Ry Cooder, the unparalleled cinematography of Robby Muller, a heart wrenching script by the late-great Sam Shephard, and a beautifully understated performance by the late, legendary Harry Dean Stanton - all pulled together seamlessly by director Wim Wenders- makes this a movie to remember. Even the landscape of the the American southwest and southern California seem to come to life on screen. The story follows Travis, a man who once had a family but then disappeared into the desert, as he reemerges years later and decides to right some of the wrongs he's responsible for. To say any more than that would spoil what are some of the most emotionally resonating moments ever put to film. Especially the dialogues between Harry Dean Stanton and Nastassja Kinski. Please see this film.

Blu-Ray looks amazing and the Criterion Collection continues having exceptional extras.

wim wenders masterpiece on a splendid transfer, great piece of movie art.

Criterion Collection 「クリテリオン」という聞きなれないレーベル名を知ったのは、youtubeで、映画関係者 （監督や役者など）がクリテリオンの狭い倉庫に入って、好きなソフトを選び出すという コンテンツを見た時。 そこから”どんなソフトを出しているのかな”と、この会社が出しているソフトを見ていった。 独自のセレクションで、独自のデザイン。それらを見ていくだけでも楽しい。その中で、 ヴィム・ヴェンダースの名作『パリ、テキサス』が目にとまった。普通はナスターシャ・ キンスキーがキー・ビジュアルになっているが、こっちは荒野に立つ大型広告看板に タイトルがレイアウトされている。これを見た時、”手に入れたい”と強く思った。「ジャケ買い」 ということがあるが、これはその衝動によってポチった一品。 届いてみると、サイズが思ったよりも一回り小さく、ややがっかり。ただCD本体は薄ピンクの ピクチャー・ディスクで、44ページのブックレットがついていた。 ヴィム・ヴェンダース関連の周辺プロダクツ（ポスターやDVDなど）は、時折こうした驚く ような高品質のものがあって、購買欲・所有欲を刺激する。

Peliculon

The Criterion Collection's release of Wim Wender's "Paris, Texas" is a cause for celebration. Shot by his long-time collaborator Robby Muller, the Blu-Ray format gives the rich colour pallete it's just deserve, and further textualizes the narrative of this deeply nuanced tale penned by Sam Shepard (based on his Motel Chronicles short stories). The film begins with an aerial shot of Texas' Devil's Graveyard, a barren landscape where the main character Travis Henderson (Harry Dean Stanton), is wandering amongst the hardscrabble terrain wearing a suit, a red baseball cap, and carrying a jug of water. Unable to talk, and repressing his memories, he is eventually re-united with his Los Angeles based brother Walt (Dean Stockwell). They drive from Texas back to California, where Walt and his wife Anne (Aurore Clement) have been looking after Travis's son Hunter (Hunter Carlson) during Travis' four year absence. Now eight, Hunter seeks to bond with his father, and as a result Travis and Hunter set out to travel back to Texas to find Travis' wife (and Hunter's mother) Jane (Nastassja Kinski). Upon his discovery of Jane's current workplace in a peep show venue, Travis elequantly confronts her through a one-way mirror to let her know how much he regrets his prior indiscretions, and that he has brought Hunter with him in an effort to restablish their family. The short synposis above tells the story - but the film itself is enhanced even more by the Ry Cooder soundtrack and the photography of Robby Muller. The supplemental material - with which the Criterion Collection never fails to impress - includes a 2000 interview on German TV with Wenders, in which he elaborates on the script writing process with Shepard. They went into production with only half the script written, and when they reached the end of the pages, with Shepard on another shoot in Illinois, Wenders enlisted Kit Carlson (the father of Hunter Carlson, who plays Travis' son), and they together, along with some telexed pages from Shepard, were able to finish the script, and consequently, the filming. Two other interviews with Claire Denis (Assistant Director) and Allison Anders (Production Assistant), are also revealing, and especially nostalgiac as these two formidable women are now immensely respected directors in their own right. I had owned this film on VHS for a couple decades, having The Criterion Collection release it on Blu Ray and give it the red carpet treatment is a special treat. This is a seminal independant film, and has been noted by U2 as an inspiration for their Joshua Tree album, and by both Elliot Smith and Kurt Cobain as their all-time favorite film. Nevertheless, this is a film not just worth watching, but owning and referencing from time to time due to it's timeless construct. 5 stars for so many reasons.

Harry dean stanton is the greatest american character actor of all time and this is his greatest work enough said.