The Last Picture Show Reviews

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

Wow

"The Last Picture Show" is a powerful depiction of teen life in an isolated, small town. Sometimes the setting looks like a ghost town, and this reinforces the emptiness of the characters' lives. The young actors are surprisingly believable. The writing is uncompromising. I'd say that it is like the "Kids" of its day, but it really doesn't feel dated. And I doubt that many studios would have the balls to make it today.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Atmospheric

Unlike your other reviewer (so far) I did find this film a little dated, I'm afraid. It is certainly atmospheric (even to the extent of the tumble-weed blowing across the street at the end - a bit of a cliché?) but I can't say I was particularly gripped. On the whole, I do very much appreciate films about characters in closed societies but I didn't feel particularly interested by these characters in comparison with, say, the enormously powerful tensions in "American Beauty". However, it's certainly watchable in a low key sort of way.

The Last Picture Show (1971)

This film was absolute rubbish. Could not send it back quick enough.

An extremely brilliant film, no surprise the young Bogdanovitch was hanging out with Orson Welles at this early stage in his career. Check out the emergence of future stars like Jeff Bridges and Cybil Shepherd learning their acting craft under the concentrated direction of the young maestro. Very good documentary also comes with this dvd.

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.

One of the best 'loss of innocence' movies ever made

Bogdanavich made the right decision to film this classic work in black and white; it gives the movie a feeling of timelessness that has probably contributed to its enduring appeal. The sense of bitterness and regret that pervades the story is almost stiffling at times, but is carried off by very honest performances from a clearly committed cast. The movie is accompanied by the usual talking heads documentary, which is interesting in places, but a little too self-congratulatory.

CLASSIC

This is a brilliantly touching film, although it is melancholy and may not be to everyones taste, it paints a memorable picture of life in a small town of texas. The look is gritty with grainy black and white implemented by the director, actors are all top notch and Cybill Shepherd steals the show as a shallow seductress.

Quite superb....

A movie that really captures the ethos of it's setting, small town Texas in the fifties. The directon, script and acting are all above reproach and filming in black and white is a complete masterstroke.

It's taken me a LONG time to finally see this film. Almost everyone except the lead got famous from this film. Kind of a Grapes of Wrath black and white feel to it but with some surprisingly racy subject matter. Manages to capture the feel of having absolutely nothing to do in a small town. Beautifully shot with some basic truths about life. And a naked young Cybill Sheperd.