My first Wim Wenders film was a great experience. Starring the underrated Harry Dean Stanton in his self-confessed greatest role, Wenders and writer Sam Shepard - known primarily from his starring role in The Right Stuff - offer up a truly magical road movie.
The film tells the story of Stanton’s Travis Henderson, a character we are introduced to as he is found wandering the deserts of West Texas by his brother, Walt (a great supporting performance from Dean Stockwell). At first, reluctant to join his brother having been missing for four years, Travis does his best to lose Walt and continue his seemingly aimless journey. After finally being worn down, Travis agrees to come home with Walt and to be reunited with his seven-year-old son, Hunter.
These early scenes between the two brothers are great. Walt’s annoyance with the not-so forthcoming Travis and Travis’ sole purpose of making it to Paris, Texas make for an interesting dynamic and it’s truly rewarding for both us, the viewer, and Walt, when Travis slowly begins to open up.
Upon returning to Walt’s home in Los Angeles, Travis now attempts to reconnect with Hunter, who has been living with his uncle and aunt (Aurore Clement provides further great support), but refers to them as his mum and dad. It proves difficult at first, but it all culminates in a fantastic scene where Travis walks Hunter home from school from the other side of the road. A moment where you can’t stop the smile from breaking out on your face.
The final act of the movie features Travis and Hunter attempting to track down Travis’ missing wife, Jane- played wonderfully by Nastassja Kinski. Travis’ journey ends in a run-down building that offers peep shows, amongst other things. However, it is in this sleazy location that Wenders unearths the true beauty of the film. Two people, on opposite sides of a one-way glass, speaking from the utmost depths of their souls. The best way to approach this movie is by going in blind and letting the roads take you on its journey. A journey I can sum up with one word: timeless.
Score: 84/100