Is it time to stop making sense? I think so.
This is True Stories, a 1986 Film by David Byrne. If you don't know who he is, use Google. Hell, Bing will tell you if you're really desperate. As of this Writing, it's the only proper Film he's Directed- not counting the 2 Documentaries and Concert Films.
The Film is about a small Town in Texas celebrating a big milestone. Byrne's Character is both a Narrator and Player in things, which is kind of interesting. It's a loose Narrative Film. It's a bit eccentric and quirky.
In other words, David Byrne.
To see how this (so far) one-off turned out and who made it big from it, read on...
In case you needed a better Summary than I gave you in the Teaser, here you go...
Byrne- as noted- is the Narrator and gives a brief History of Texas.
He is next seen driving into Town in a red convertible, something that I'd like to believe Guy Fieri stole from this Film.
The Town is full of random Characters like a crazy Preacher, a Business Tycoon, a Tex Mex Band and others.
The main player, however, is Louis Fyne. He works at the Factory and he's looking for love.
He's...John Goodman?!?
Byrne meets all of the people in Town, including a strange dinner with the Tycoon- Spalding Gray.
If you ever wanted a Spalding Gray/David Byrne Project, your ship has come in, you eccentric bastard!
We also made the Lazy Woman- Swoosie Kurtz- who will be important later.
She's lazy for not leaving her bed, but the amount of planning to make everything work- like the self-turning books is pretty damn impressive.
The crux of the Story involves a big Anniversary for the Town and a Parade.
Goodman is still looking for love, but finding that he's more complex than other people think. It's...good?
These outfits, however, are unquestionably good.
It all comes to a head with a big Talent Show for the Town.
We get Yodeling, Singing, Dancing and...whatever the hell this is.
Seriously, am I dreaming this part?
For the final, Louis sings the song he wrote and it manages to be heard by the person that needs to hear it...
...as he marries Kurtz. All's well that ends well.
Byrne drives away, presumably to help anyone who is in trouble
Renegade-style. The End.
A fun and quirky experience. Is it a great Film? It's not exactly a Film in the usual sense. It's got a loose Plot and is shot on Film, so...close enough.
If you're looking for a normal Film, don't look at a David Byrne work. It's not what you're going to get. The closest you'll get is Stop Making Sense, but that's actually by Jonathan Demme. And yes, it is my favorite Jonathan Demme Film.
That said, there's enough Plot here to feel like a Film. The bones are there. It's there to give you a good framework for the Musical Numbers. It's what you're really here for.
As a precursor to stuff like Waiting for Guffman or other Christopher Guest Films, it's a neat bit of history. If you like the Talking Heads, it's a good bit of fun. It's weird and quirky- kind of like how everyone in the '80s apparently had a Robot.
Next time, I jump to a completely-different kind of Film and Decade. If you all love Fighter Jets, I might as well give you them. Stay tuned...
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