Accidental Texan

A "normal" movie, like it used to be all movies before this crazy times that we live these days...about what is really important: life as it is, good or bad, there's always a chance if you are still breathing. God bless!

It's a shame that today's films diverge so drastically, essentially serving as propaganda to push the big movie companies' social-political agenda.

Of course, anyone who signs up to Netflix, Disney+, and other background noise will find a thousand "problems" with this film, beginning with the subject, actor selection, and orthodox message portrayed. Let's be honest, there are no longer any decent films, with only one kid of good Hollywood production movie released each year... so let's be grateful that there are still "normal" films like this one. Don't look outside the box when watching this film, as its values remain within it.

Greetings again from the darkness. Life in west Texas can be harsh. There is nothing romantic or picturesque about the land ... unless you are one of the lucky land/lease owners who have become rich by striking oil. Complementing his long career in the art departments of some massive blockbusters, Mark Lambert Bristol directs his second feature film from a script Julie B Denny, adapted from the 1999 novel "Chocolate Lizards" by Cole Thompson.

Former Harvard student Erwin Vandeveer (Rudy Pankow, who I also saw in 5 LBS OF PRESSURE this week) has just gotten his big break as an actor. He hits the road for the drive from Los Angeles to New Orleans, and is awed by having his name on a set trailer. Now, we've all had some jerk ruin the moment during a movie by checking a cell phone, but you've never seen it happen to the extreme that Erwin experiences when his goes off during his first scene. It's funny for us and devastating for him. On the trip home (after being fired from the movie), his Saab breaks down in Buffalo Gap, Texas. At the local diner run by Faye (Carrie-Anne Moss of THE MATRIX fame), oil driller Merle (Thomas Haden Church, SIDEWAYS, 2004) makes a deal with the desperate Erwin: Use his acting skills to impersonate a land man, and Merle will pay for the car repairs.

Erwin soon realizes Merle is every bit as desperate as he is. The bank is ready to foreclose on his rig, sending him into bankruptcy. His window is narrow to save his business, way of life, and pride. An unconventional (and not altogether above-board) collaboration with Erwin, is Merle's last hope, as is a plot of land owned by local old codger Scheermeyer (Bruce Dern, at age 88, his 65 year career is still going strong). The age-old battle of the 'little guy' taking on the big and corrupt system is at play here, and the clock is ticking.

Most of this is easily predictable, yet the three lead actors work their magic to ensure we remain on board and engaged. Thomas Haden Church is especially effective here, though we do wish Carrie-Anne Moss was given more to do. The ending is pretty hokey, and has a "sports movie" feel ... you know, last second Touchdown, game winning Home Run, or buzzer-beater basket. Still, we all can appreciate a feel-good story, and a reminder that when folks are at their lowest point, sometimes it only takes a helping hand from a neighbor, or even a stranger, to pick them back up.

In theaters beginning March 8, 2024.

Came to this movie with no expectations and loved it. Funny and entertaining with just the right amount of drama to be an engaging nail-biter. Mark Bristol did a great job directing and the cinematography was excellent too. I want to find the town where it was filmed (somewhere in tree-less Texas) and have a cup of coffee at the cafe.

Thomas Haden Church, Rudy Pankow and Carrie-Anne Moss gave great performances and Bruce Dern is always a pleasure to watch. Shout out to the woman who played Roxy: Her performance was spot on for what you would expect to see in a county office.

Going to watch it again with my 10-year-old son as it is clean and includes some good messages about work ethic.

Accidental Texan

A film set in the middle of ranch country, Texas, Accidental Texan stars Erwin, an aspiring actor who blew an audition in New Orleans in such an hysterical, ridiculous fashion that I couldn't stop laughing. Since the rest of the film tries to be much more serious, I'm not sure what was up with that zany beginning.

On the way back to Hollywood, still dressed in his costume and outfitted with his special effects rig, Erwin's Prius breaks down in Buffalo Gap, a city of about 10 people it seems. The auto repair guy tries to take advantage of our city boy, but is saved by a roughneck, Merle, whose oil drilling business is on the edge of collapse.

The film then goes into serious mode as Merle and Erwin go on a mission to save the business by trying to find oil before an evil tycoon and his lackey bankers do. The villainy is so cartoony it's ridiculous, but I still enjoyed their work to save Merle's business.

Erwin is more than an accidental Texan; he becomes an accidental son-figure, to Merle's father-figure, as they go about mending their own pain with as little emotion as possible. Carrie-Anne Moss, as Faye the waitress, reminds the pair that the emotions are there, and she uses that power to help save the day. Instead of waving money at people, she brings them together for a common goal that inspires feelings of nostalgia that lead to a new future.

It's so Hallmark channel it's not even funny, but I still enjoyed it. There's a gun battle, a stampede of cows, hard drinking, and a loyal roughneck crew that love rampaging through the environment looking for oil to make money. It's the daydream of every Red state Republican thinking about the good ole days that never actually existed. Family values are explored and admired. Making money, at any cost, is only trumped by a small business underdog, trying to do the same thing.

But, I'll say it again, I enjoyed it. It is a shame that folks with ranches or farms from before the twentieth century are losing their livelihood due to technicalities on leases, or a reduction in demand in farm products causing foreclosures. It was fun to see people beat "the man", even though it's fiction.

I'm not a Texan but I lived there when I was 5 to 6 years old and again when I was 19 to 20. This movie is wonderful. Reminds me of my time ranch folks just like that real Cowboys wonderful people just like the ones fictionally portrayed here it's funny, touching and real. Thomas Aiden Church may be setting himself up to take all the Sam Elliott film roles if he keeps this up. The whole cast, including the young actor from Outer Banks, Rudy Pankow As well as Carrie-Anne Moss Really stand out in the whole cast is terrific. Special shout out goes to the great Bruce Dern Man, he has had a wonderful career with quite a final act from Nebraska to this movie to once upon a Time in Hollywood. That role was supposed to go to Burt Reynolds, but ends up being another feather in Derns cap... Really love this film.