I saw
Paris, Texas last night which was a recent blind buy. My hunch was correct and the nearly unanimous sentiment of community members who post on this thread have it right - this is beautiful film!!
I had a 'take' on the film shortly after the credits rolled, but after giving it a bit more thought, I'm not sure I had it right. The fact that the material is presented in such a way that leaves it open for interpretation is one of the greater attributes of the film.
Did anyone else consider the possibility that
[Show spoiler]Travis is an angel and that he died in the fire? As I type this now and give it some more thought it is beginning to seem more far-fetched as the theory is dependent on the idea that the Natassja Kinski character set the trailer on fire. She is perhaps feeling a great deal of guilt and that is why she cannot be around Hunter as he is a reminder of Travis. By coming to find her and through the frank conversations he has with her, he acknowledges that he was an equally guilty party in the failure of the relationship.
When he mentions on the recording that he leaves for Hunter that he is scared about where he is going (or what he has to do next - can't remember how it is worded,) is he perhaps afraid of moving on to the afterlife? And because he is an angel, he cannot be with Hunter or with both of them?
There is quite a bit of thematic material involving the universe, the big bang theory, space, and flying. In addition to that, there are at least a half dozen shots where Travis is gazing out over vast areas of land and, of course, the opening scenes in the Texas desert. Maybe Travis has come from another galaxy? Could that be why when we first him early in the film, he is wandering, mute, and sporting a disheveled appearance? He has to, perhaps, become re-acclimated to life on Earth.
All of this is a subjective interpretation that hinges upon the idea that the "fire" Travis tells about was meant literally. This morning, I considered the possibility that the "fire" is the metaphor and that it meant that s**t hit the fan too many times and he left. Maybe that is a better reading.
Anyway, the two scenes in which they converse through the window at the strip club are pure movie magic. Artfully done, yet entirely accessible.
..and a "fun fact" for anyone who cares, knows what I'm talking about, or hasn't already read it on wikipedia or imdb - I've heard the line where Nattasja Kinski says, "yep, I know that feeling" who knows how many times because it is sampled at the end of the Primal Scream song "Come Together" which is on the masterful album Screamadelica. Very cool!!
Now I know where it came from.
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) was Wilfred Brambell, who was best known in 60's UK as the British analog of Fred Sanford on "Steptoe & Son."
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