Watch True Stories

True Stories is a unique and quirky comedy-drama film from 1986, written and directed by the former lead singer of the Talking Heads, David Byrne. The movie is set in the small fictional town of Virgil, Texas, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary and planning a parade to commemorate the occasion. The narrative follows a day in the life of several eccentric characters who all live in or near Virgil, and whose stories intersect and intertwine throughout the film.

The main character is an unnamed narrator, played by Byrne himself, who serves as a kind of tour guide to the town and its inhabitants. With his deadpan delivery and distinctive style, Byrne interacts with the locals and comments on their lives, sometimes breaking into musical performances that blend seamlessly into the story. His character is often seen driving around in a red convertible, observing the strange and surreal events taking place around him.

Among the other characters in the film is Louis Fyne, played by John Goodman, who works at a computer store and dreams of finding a wife. Louis makes a video dating profile that he hopes will attract his perfect match, and his pursuit of love becomes a central theme of the film. Meanwhile, the town's richest man, Mr. Finlay, played by Spalding Gray, is planning to build a huge shopping mall in Virgil, which causes controversy and tension among the residents. Another notable character is a woman named Miss Rollings, played by Annie McEnroe, who is haunted by her past and struggles with loneliness.

One of the standout features of True Stories is its visual style, which is a mix of deadpan humor, striking images, and surrealism. The film is shot in a documentary style, with some scenes featuring real people from the town of Vernon, Texas, where much of the movie was filmed. The use of color and framing is also inventive, with bold choices like bright red and yellow backgrounds, and scenes that seem like they are taken from a different movie entirely.

The soundtrack of True Stories is another major component of the film, with Byrne and the Talking Heads providing many of the songs. The music is a mix of rock, blues, and country, with lyrics that comment on the events of the movie and the themes of the story. Some of the most memorable songs include "Wild Wild Life," "Puzzling Evidence," and "City of Dreams."

While the plot of True Stories is fairly loose and meandering, the film is a fascinating exploration of small-town America and the people who inhabit it. The characters are all quirky and colorful, and the movie has a warm and affectionate tone towards them. At the same time, there is a sense of satire and critique of the consumer culture that drives much of American life, with Mr. Finlay's shopping mall and Louis Fyne's video dating being prime examples.

Overall, True Stories is a unique and entertaining film that defies easy categorization. It is a blend of comedy, drama, musical, and documentary, with elements of satire, surrealism, and social commentary. It showcases David Byrne's talents as a filmmaker and musician, and features strong performances from John Goodman, Annie McEnroe, and the rest of the cast. If you are looking for a movie that is offbeat, funny, and thought-provoking, then True Stories is definitely worth a watch.

True Stories is a 1986 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 67.