There are only a few days left to (re)see “Paris, Texas” by Wim Wenders. After May 14, this superb drama starring Harry Dean Stanton and Nastassja Kinski will no longer be available on Netflix.
Paris, Texas : last days to (re)watch the film
After winning the International Critics’ Prize at the 29th Cannes Film Festival in 1976 for Au fil du temps, Wim Wenders conquered the Cannes Film Festival even more in 1984 with Paris, Texas. With this drama way road tripthe German director received three important awards, including the symbolic Palme d’Or (to this were added the FIPRESCI5 prize and the Ecumenical Jury prize). Deserved recognition for one of its author’s most notable films, of moving poetry. If you’ve never seen it, you still have until May 14 to catch up on Netflixafter what Paris, Texas will leave the catalog of the streaming platform. Here are several reasons to (re)discover it.
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Between family drama and nostalgic road trip
Paris, Texas begins as a man, Travis, walks through the Texas desert. Exhausted and thirsty, he goes to a bar in the middle of nowhere and gets some ice cream to cool down. But the thermal shock is such that he loses consciousness. A strange doctor then takes him in and contacts his brother, Walt, to come get him. An announcement that surprises Walt, since his brother has been missing for four years. When he finally finds him, he understands that Travis is disturbed, unable to speak or eat. Wim Wenders then suggests a first road trip between these two brothers who, during their journey back to Los Angeles, will bond again and evoke part of the past. The director films their reconnection with delicacy and modesty. He also takes superb shots of the exterior settings, and takes his time to reveal to the viewer what it is all about.
Indeed, we discover that Travis disappeared overnight, just like his partner, Jane, who left their son Hunter with Walt and his wife, before disappearing in turn. In its second part, Paris, Texas thus tends more towards the touching family drama. Because we understand as much the couple’s fear of seeing the child they consider as theirs leave, as well as Travis’ discomfort in front of his son and the rejection, initially, of the latter. There is something heartbreaking about seeing this man walk in front of his son’s school without being able to communicate with him. The performance ofHarry Dean Stanton has a lot to do with it, just like that of Dean Stockwell, who plays this brother who wants to do the best he can.
Nastassja Kinski, sublime as always
Facing them, we find the Frenchwoman Aurore Clément (Anne, Walt’s wife) and the young Hunter Carson, very well directed, as well as Nastassja Kinski. Although the latter only appears in the last act (after another car trip, this time between father and son to Houston), her presence is decisive and contributes greatly to the emotion that provides Paris, Texas. It must be said that the actress has always made the slightest shot in which she appears memorable, and here, each of his looks captured by Wim Wenders’ camera is an additional upheaval.
His discussions with Travis, in a cabin, where a one-way mirror separates them, will finally lift the veil on Travis’ four years of disappearance, and add a new theme to the film. Because in addition to questioning the sibling relationship, the father/son relationship and reunions, the feature film evokes the heartbreak of an obsessive romantic relationshipbefore a conclusion that leaves your eyes moist and your throat tight.
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