True Stories (1986)

Starring: John Goodman, Spalding Gray Genres: Indie-Arthouse Cinema, Comedy, Music Origin: USA Certificate: G Languages: English Running Time: 85 min

synopsis

Why do hot dogs come 10 to a pack and buns in packs of eight or 12? Did the woman who claims she knows "the real Rambo" also write songs for Elvis and Michael Jackson? Maybe you haven't wondered about these things. But David Byrne has. "I deal with stuff that's too dumb for people to have bothered to formulate opinions on", he explains. And the result is TRUE STORIES. Byrne is the big-suited leader of Talking Heads, the multiple-platinum rock band that had packed movie houses jumpin' during its "Stop Making Sense" concert film. The oversized suit is now traded in for Western wear and a black Stetson as Byrne directs, co-writes and hosts TRUE STORIES, a Byrne's-eye view of Virgil, Texas (pop. 40,000 and growing). That view, vividly photographed by Ed Lachman and featuring music written by Byrne and songs performed by Talking Heads, is dizzily, danceably, irresistibly festive. And its interwoven with episodic stories showcasing some of the most amiable - and offbeat - characters you'll ever see, people like bachelor Louis, a panda bear of a man who puts a flashing "Wife Wanted" sign on his lawn; the world's laziest woman; a faith healer struttin' up a love spell; 50 sets of twins; a precision lawn-mower marching team; and many more warmly wigged-out participants in Virgil's "Celebration of Specialness". Innovative... Energetic... Funny... and special. That's the truth of TRUE STORIES.