Paris, Texas - A (Re) Fall in Love Story 4.5/5

When you think of Paris what comes to mind? The Eiffel Tower, romance, love. What you don’t think of is a lonely, rundown town in Texas. Paris Texas starts out in a barren land, which is a reflection of the empty man, Travis Henderson (Harry Dean Stanton) who wanders aimlessly through it. 

There’s nothing flashy about this movie, but it conveys its message powerfully. It’s not the American dream, or the perfect love story. Rather it’s about piecing together a shattered, broken life. In short this movie is about reconciliation. Going from an empty wandering life, to reconnecting with life and family.

After watching this and Dead Man, Robbie Muller is quickly becoming one of my favorite cinematographers. My favorite shot is at the end where Travis and Jane are having their conversation. Travis tells her a story as she stares at her own reflection. She’s finally seeing herself for the first time in a while and it breaks her. Then she’s able to see past herself and see Travis. The shots seemed to convey that the greatest hindrance to love is self...selfishness. To really love we need to see beyond ourselves and to the needs and interests of others.

While people go to Paris for love, others go to Paris Texas to re fall in love.