La loi des rangers

Maybe there is some kind of comfort in seeing two actors take their age in stride. Seeing Kris Kristofferson and the living legend Willie Nelson do this good a job in what is basically a made-for-cable (complete with Zalman King stalwart Joan Severance) film just brings a fat smile to my face. Kudos also to director Bill Bixby. Is this worth seeing? Definitely!!!

These two old pals are great together. Willie, as Executive Producer, gets the fun scalawag part. Kristofferson gets the straight sexy part. Death scam to hide Rip Torn character is a bit far-fetched. Funny scenes abound. Willie fumes as Kristofferson, his stolid, straight-arrow counterpart arrives to pick him up after 30 hours. Why? Because Texas Ranger Kristofferson has been carrying out a hot love scene with FBI agent Severance. Nelson wants to know why the delay. "Business" replies the Ranger. "What kind of business," says Nelson. "None of yours" barks Kristofferson. Leaning close, Nelson detects the aroma of perfume and laughs "I've been shot out of the saddle by a Texas Ranger." to which Kristofferson replies "Don't be ridiculous; you scarcely know her." Nelson repostes "maybe she can improve your 'sunny' disposition." And at the end, when Nelson objects to Kristofferson's intention to take him to the bus station to leave on his forced exile from Texas, Neson snookers him into making another stop. While Kristofferson is distracted, Nelson steals his car, yelling that he'll leave it at a specific lot at the airport with the keys under the mat, and he drives off laughing. Kristofferson has the last resigned lines..."You're a piece of work, Ace."

I recall this movie fondly now because all my Denton People are moving to Austin and Denton is trying to be like Austin is Now. Austin ex pats and I hate what Austin is NOW.

Willie Nelson plays a character like Willie Nelson a scamp with common sense a laid back moral world view a grayed out Huck Finn. NOT HIGH ART but Willie being Willie.....

Kris plays a character like Kris himself serious cerebral hide bound and clear in conscience between right and wrong.....a born loner Mix in a love interest.

What was Austin like when Jerry Jeff, Willie, and the Boys played at the Armadillo.... Well this movie has the last big taste of it... no not high art high cheese lovable cheese oh When Austin was WEIRD naturally

If you get Willie Nelson (I guess everyone does...). If you do, then this is Willie - effortlessly. Playing straight man to Willie takes a little something. Slim Pickens in Honeysuckle Rose, Gary Busey in Barbarossa - master character actors. Kris is up to the job. The writing is redeemed by personality. Willie and Kris are actors enjoying themselves. And for actors, they aren't bad musicians.

A follow-up to a previous TV movie, 'Pair of Aces', this stars the unbeatable pair of Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson, playing an all-business Texas Ranger and shameless con man respectively. They team up with a sexy FBI agent (Joan Severance) to solve the case when Kris' associate Rip Torn seems to be guilty of a vigilante killing, and Kris just doesn't think that his buddy could be responsible.

Although the story is nothing special, it *is* appealing for being one obvious love letter to the state of Texas. Its principal value does lie in the star combo, who of course have great chemistry. A clean-shaven Kris is solid, playing his role pretty straight, while Willie and Rip get to have the most fun in their colorful supporting roles. (Willie was also one of the executive producers.) Although unmemorable in the end, 'Another Pair of Aces' is very well done for a TV movie, with capable direction by actor Bill Bixby. It has drama, comedy, and a mild amount of violence. Its attempt at a twist isn't a big surprise, however.

One highlight is seeing a very young Shelby Lynne making a musical appearance; another is the score by Jay Gruska.

If you're a fan of Willie & Kris, you'll certainly enjoy watching them here. Willie is quite fun playing a cheery scoundrel.

Six out of 10.