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Bookmark this pageThe Last Picture Show (1971)
Director: Peter Bogdanovich
Movie review
From Time Out London
‘Gettin’ old, that’s what’s ridiculous.’ The different ways people become who they are – rich or poor, cultured or common, honest or treacherous, loving or hateful, sad or satisfied – were never more eloquently explored than in Peter Bogdanovich’s sweetly sorrowful second film. Adapted from Larry McMurtry’s knowingly nostalgic semi-autobiographical novel, it’s the tale of three Texas teens, played by then-unknowns Jeff Bridges, Timothy Bottoms and Cybill Shepherd (pictured), whose journeys to adulthood involve death, disaster, ruined relationships, moments of joy and the slow realisation of life’s unfairness. It’s a masterpiece: filmed in sparkling monochrome, relentless in its emotional intensity and unfettered insight and packed with memorable characters, of whom Ben Johnson’s lovelorn, regretful cowboy sage Sam the Lion, quoted above, is perhaps the most iconic. The scene where Sam imparts his wisdom to young buck Bottoms may be the saddest, loveliest moment in 1970s American cinema. And that’s saying something.Author: Tom Huddleston
Time Out London Issue 2121: 14 - 20 April, 2011
User reviews of this film
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- PJ said...
- Posted on Oct 18 2010 22:12 I can't understand why this great movie is now caled unfashionable. Have just rewatched it and it is brilliant and so so pertinent.
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Cast & crew
Director: Peter Bogdanovich
Producer: Stephen J Friedman
Cast: Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Bridges, Cybill Shepherd, Ben Johnson, Cloris Leachman, Ellen Burstyn, Eileen Brennan, Clu Gulager, Sam Bottoms, Randy Quaid full cast
Genre(s): Drama
Rated: 15
Duration: 118 mins
UK Release: Apr 15 2011
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