David Byrne, musician best known as the lead singer and frontman of Talking Heads, also dabbled in film making, starting with directing music videos for his band. The only live action feature in his filmography is 1986 comedy True Stories, known as one of the most unusual films of its time.
Byrne, who wrote and directed the film, appears in the film as narrator and guide that presents audience with Virgil, Texas small town and its quirky residents. Narrative structure of the film is series of short vignettes that are framed by Byrne’s dry observations and musical numbers. The plot is very loose and it deals with town marking 150th anniversary of Texan independence with a parade which is to be followed by a talent show. Among the residents inhabiting the city the one that appears to stand out is Louis Fyne (played by John Goodman), clean room technician who desperately seeks woman whom he would marry and his quest is closest this film comes to conventional narrative.
Byrne got the idea for screenplay after collecting series of newspaper clippings about various unusual people around the world. The script (co-credited to his friends Stephen Toblowsky and Beth Henley) has simply put some of those stories together in a context of small Texan town Byrne comes to observe and comment like alien coming from different planet. The setting of the large open spaces containing rectangular-shaped houses and buildings is effectively conveyed through the cinematography of Ed Lachman, cinematographer specialised for quirky art films. True Stories definitely belongs to this category. Although Byrne at times seems to take satirical approach towards certain aspect of life in American small towns, he nevertheless appears to show certain sympathy for their unusual characters. In that he is helped by some fine actors, including Goodman in one of the rare romantic roles of his career. Another great performance is delivered by Spalding Gray as Earl Culver, rich businessman and town’s civic leader, while Annie McEnroe shines as his wife, especially in the scene during which her character breaks into a song while commenting bizarre fashion show.
Music plays important part in the film, although musical numbers (which include couple of Talking Heads songs like “Wild Wild Life”) appear in organic way, making True Stories difficult to classify as “pure” musical. Apart from Talking Heads, there are other artists involved, including Mexican American singer Tito Larriva (of later Tito and Tarantula fame), gospel and R&B musician Pops Stables as well as Goodman. Most of the songs were recorded by Talking Heads at their eponymous album released shortly before the film.
Quirkiness of the characters is at the time matched by quirkiness of the approach, which might put off some of the viewers. Byrne, especially at the beginning, seems to revel at the artificiality of live action, and good example is in the scenes when he drives convertible with the more than obvious help of rear projection. Quality of humour in the film varies – while some scenes are brilliantly funny, others are repetitive. Byrne’s lack of experience shows in film featuring 50 sets of twins but viewers still having to pay extra attention in order to notice that detail. Yet, despite those flaws, this mix of good music, quirky humour and social observation deserves recommendation even for those who care little about giants of late 20th Century avant-guard rock music.
RATING: 7/10 (++)
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