Watch Stars and Bars

Stars and Bars is a comedy film from 1988 directed by Pat O'Connor and starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Harry Dean Stanton, and Kent Broadhurst. The movie follows the adventures of an art expert, Henderson Dores (Daniel Day-Lewis), who is attempting to procure a painting for a wealthy American collector. The painting, a masterpiece by the French Impressionist Paul Cezanne, is located in a remote French castle, and Dores must overcome numerous obstacles to secure the prize.

The film opens with a series of comedic vignettes that introduce the quirky characters and situations that will populate the narrative. Dores is shown working at his job as an auctioneer, where he humorously describes the various artifacts up for bid. He is then introduced to the wealthy American collector, Mr. Flynn, who has an obsession with French art and is willing to pay any price to acquire the Cezanne painting. The movie then shifts to France, where Dores arrives in the small town of La Roque, which is located near the castle where the Cezanne is located.

Once in La Roque, Dores is immediately faced with the first of many obstacles. The locals are skeptical and distrustful of him, and he struggles to make any headway in his attempts to locate the painting. He meets a cast of characters, including the mayor of the town, the castle owner, and a group of eccentric expats who live in the area. Dores also becomes romantically involved with the beautiful and enigmatic Leticia (Marianne Sagebrecht), who seems to be involved in the local smuggling trade.

As he continues his search for the painting, Dores becomes embroiled in a series of hijinks and misadventures. He must navigate the complex and often absurd world of local politics and customs, including participating in a bizarre bullfighting ceremony and enduring a humiliating initiation into an expat society. He also uncovers a plot by a rival collector to steal the Cezanne, leading to a tense confrontation at the castle.

Throughout the movie, Day-Lewis gives a charming and nuanced performance as Dores, balancing the character's sophisticated demeanor with his bumbling attempts to navigate the unfamiliar terrain of La Roque. Harry Dean Stanton is also excellent as the castle owner, imbuing his role with a sense of melancholy and nostalgia for a bygone era. The supporting cast of characters, including Kent Broadhurst as the scheming art dealer Syndey Buckman, add to the film's humor and sense of whimsy.

Overall, Stars and Bars is a delightful and entertaining comedy that showcases the talents of its cast and director. The movie is a lighthearted romp through the French countryside, full of witty dialogue, charming characters, and unexpected twists and turns. It is a must-see for fans of Daniel Day-Lewis and anyone who appreciates a good laugh.

Stars and Bars is a 1988 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.8.