The Last Picture Show Details

1971

Rated:
70
from 3483 members

Starring	Cybill Shepherd, Jeff Bridges, Timothy Bottoms, Cloris Leachman
Director	Peter Bogdanovich
Genres	Drama

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The Last Picture Show

Director Peter Bogdanovich (MASK, PAPER MOON) brings Larry McMurtry's bittersweet novel of life in a small, sleepy Texas town in the early 1950s to the big screen. This coming-of-age tale focuses on best friends Sonny Crawford (Timothy Bottoms) and Duane Jackson (Jeff Bridges) and their relationships. Duane is dating the beautiful but fickle Jacy Farrow (Cybill Shepherd), a good girl who is looking for a little excitement. Shy Sonny, meanwhile, is carrying on an illicit affair with a coach's wife, Ruth Popper (Cloris Leachman), a sad, plain woman whose only joy appears to be the stolen moments they share. By delving into the intertwining lives of the town's diverse residents, the film explores issues of love, loneliness, innocence lost, and disillusionment. The closing of the town's only cinema serves as both a physical and metaphoric backdrop to the characters' lives. A favorite of critics, the film was nominated for eight Oscars, earning one for both Leachman and Ben Johnson. Model-turned-actress Shepherd shines as Jacy in her film debut, which also features Ellen Burstyn as Jacy's mother, Lois Farrow. TEXASVILLE, the sequel, is also directed by Bogdanovich and stars most of the original cast of THE LAST PICTURE SHOW.

Starring	Cybill Shepherd, Jeff Bridges, Timothy Bottoms, Cloris Leachman, Ben Johnson, Ellen Burstyn, Eileen Brennan, Randy Quaid
Director	Peter Bogdanovich
Studio	SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time	DVD: 1 hr 54 mins
Certificate
Genres	Drama
Language	DVD: English
Dubbed	French, German, Italian, Spanish
Subtitles	DVD: Arabic, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish
Released	DVD: 26 Nov 2001 Production year: 1971
Format	DVD

Critics' reviews (4) of The Last Picture Show
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Rod Taylor returned to his native Australia for a good-natured but rambling account of the early years of cinema, playing a villainous entrepreneur dogging the steps of the film's real hero, played by John Meillon. The two rivals slog their way around the outback drumming up enthusiasm for the picture show among the bemused citizens, and there's enough humour en route to keep the attention from flagging.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Bogdanovich may have proved a wayward disappointment, but along with Targets this is a reminder that somewhere inside... read more on Time Out
- Time Out
- Posted 04 Nov 2008
Most helpful member's review of The Last Picture Show
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8 out of 8 people found this review helpful

Masterpiece

Bogdanovich's best film is this melancholy tale of life in a small Texas town that follows the infidelities, unrequited loves and everyday tragedies of its inhabitants.

The direction is sensitive and restrained and demonstrates that somewhere in Bogdanovich there is a great artist (his only other great film was 'Targets'). Really though this is an actors film and there are some superb performances by the likes of Johnson and Leachman. The performances add a depth and realism to the film that makes it all the more heartbreaking to watch.

The film is further evidence of the brilliance of the true 'golden age of cinema' when films were driven by story and character rather than SFX. 'The Last Picture Show' is a moving, haunting and truly wonderful piece of cinema.

However, before anybody says 'they don't make em like that anymore' let me point you towards the marvellous 'The Station Agent' a recent little gem of a film that fans of 'The Last Picture Show' may enjoy
- - A customer from london
  - Posted 02 Dec 2004 10:49
Most recent members' review of The Last Picture Show
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

Well acted and nostalgic teen drama

It seems strange to refer to this film as a teen drama, as it brings up thoughts of all the terrible teen films that are still being made. However, this is very different, and probably best watched if you aren't a teenager, as it is serious and somewhat depressing.

The story focuses on a small group of Texas youths stuck in their small town with nothing to do but visit the small picture house and seemingly exchange partners.

This is a low budget, early seventies film, shot in black and white, well directed by Peter Bogdanovich, though it is a bit overpraised in my opinion, but that doesn't mean it isn't a significant achievement.

Cloris Leachman and Ben Johnson won Oscars for their performances, but I think Timothy Bottoms is fantastic. The lack of music adds to the lonesome atmosphere and the frank treatment of teenage sex and relationships is refreshing for such an old film.
- - Adam H. Gallimore from the middle of Dorset
  - Posted 01 Feb 2005 15:34
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