My dad worked on this movie and as a result I know a lot about the production of it. Wild Wild Life was all locals that were cast at a casting call for a "talent show" There are multiple sets of twins in this film. The Mall is actually NorthPark Mall which is still open and doing well in Dallas. My mom is sitting behind the producers wife during the fashion show (she's in the pink sweater). The teeth in giant head that pops the corn on the cob are actually my dad and my uncle. During the parade the Cute lady dies of cuteness, She was supposed to be buried in a giant fuzzy pink casket, This scene was cut from the film. The room Pop Staples does his ritual in was decorated by my dad.
@@muffdiver240 don't be such a jackass. Goodman and Larriva's characters were introduced early on in the film and feature continuously throughout - so, TheMentalLizard was obviously talking about the others at mic on stage during the song, apart from members of Talking Heads themselves... which brings me to your idiotic Ricky Schroder belief - it was NOT Schroder imitating Billy Idol , it was Talking Heads keyboardist and guitarist JERRY HARRISON (also as Prince, as a generic Karate practitioner and a Cuban-style character). Perhaps you just have Schroder's 'Silver Spoons' image stuck in your mind. Admittedly, his childhood nose is near-identical to Harrison's adult nose, so that's probably the catalyst for your erroneous assumption.
David Byrne's character here reminds me of Joe Pera's shtick. So wholesome it's creepy, but _so wholesome_ it wraps back around to feeling genuine and funny.
When I started listening to TH/Byrne I always thought of Oliver Sacks' description of an autistic person (actually Dr Temple Grandin) as 'an anthropolologist on Mars'. Then years later David outed himself as being 'probably' autistic. It made so much sense!
I love David Byrne's non-judgmental depictions. He respects his audience enough that they should have their own morals. He will never tell you something is good and bad. He shows you what is, in the most creative way and you should know if that is good or bad.
@evo5dave he's still panda bear-esk I'd say. Go easy on him, he's older now and it's more difficult for him to maintain a perfect panda bear shape. If it was easy then we'd all have that body.
This was John Goodman's breakthrough role; he was a virtual unknown when he was cast in True Stories. In some ways it arguably hurts the film (a little bit) when you see it for the first time nowadays, having such a recognizable star in there among the mostly-unknowns playing the locals, so it's worth remembering that when this film was released he stood out for his performance, not just because "Oh look, it's John Goodman" :)
David Bryne is a pretty sharp guy. In his book "How Music Works," there are a few insightful chapters about why music has developed the way it has. Fairly obvious stuff once you've read it, but also stuff you probably aren't going to hear too many other people talking about.
David Lynch without the creepiness ... yes, that pretty much nails it. This film has a similar eye for smalltown weird but it observes the characters in a genial and vaguely bemused sort of way rather than trying to show us that everything's all dark and festering under the surface, like Lynch would.
The first song on the soundtrack album for this movie is titled Road Song, it's the one that plays over the montage at the films opening. It's credited to two artists: David Byrne and Meredith Monk. Yes, THAT Meredith Monk. This video was fortuitous
@@diamondrel5190 I'm sitting here laughing my ass off because RUclips's software decided your comment needed a "translate" button under it. Turtle Dreams definitely needed a translate button.
There's a Talking Heads song called The Big Country which this film reminds me of. It's about a man flying in a plane over a small town. He describes the town in a similar, quirky, off-beat sort of way that the movie does. But then the chorus turns savage; he says "I wouldn't live there, if you paid me. I couldn't live like that, no siree." The move is more subtle than the song. The attitude of the chorus is never voiced explicitly. But there is satire, albeit quite gentle and good-natured. The tone of the film is so delicate. Irony and sincerity are so close together here that it's impossible to tease them apart.
It seems that even "The Big Country" isn't really an anti-small town song at heart. "In an interview with Marc Maron in 2015, however, David Byrne claimed that the song is a satire of popular culture’s image of him: i.e. as a snobby city kid. However, in reality, he says that he has a deep respect for the smaller parts of the U.S."
The big country is my favorite talking heads song. While watching the film I thought the movie was a better understanding of the song. I was waiting to hear it! I’m glad you find the connection as well.
I see Byrnes oppinion of small towns as like "I dont want to live there because I don't fit, but I admire that these people really enjoy it." Like it's hard to explain, but theres sort of this fetish in america for small towns where everyone has a defined role, but theres also hatred for them as being too inside and rejecting outsiders. I think true stories is kind of saying "just let them be weird on their own, don't try to force your way in because you wont fit. And your ideas of their life arent true".I think this is most exemplified in that Byrne has this cowboy getup, which is the popular depiction for a small texas town, but everyone there is wearing weird highly consumerist outfits that are associated with the big city. I think hes actually forming a clever duality here, where virgil is both a small town and a big city, and he is the visitor from the opposite location.
3:00 I love this scene. It's obvious Louis is put off by what the lying woman is saying, but he doesn't comment on it at all. He could be upset about how frequently she obviously lies, but he's unassuming enough that he might merely be upset about how long she talks without letting him chime in. He might even be upset because he believes what shes saying and thinks he's not right for her because she lives an eventful, exhausting life, and he's not ready for that.
David loves science, the characters that hide in people and also deadpan humour. Also his music and writings are incredibly optimistic and open in nature. This film seems to be an intersection of all of these things. Thanks for drawing my attention to it.
When I lived in .NYC people told me I was autistic...I probably am actually...but seriously this movie captured a surreal quality Texas really had in the 80s
Wow, awesome to see more people who love this movie. As a small-town Texan (Paris specifically, which is about 700 miles east of where they shot that Wim Wenders flick), I always thought True Stories was the best representation of what that life is like. Yeah, it's not quite as weird as Byrne depicts it to be, but it's just close enough to reality that you can imagine there being a place, hidden away from the highways and interstates, where this is the norm. Everything about the setting--the landscapes, the big factories, the weird parades and conventions, the clear visual conflict between the old and new--is spot on. I have no idea how some weirdo from New York managed to nail it so well. It also pairs well with Linklater's Slacker, if you wanna see the natural weirdness you get in the big cities.
David Byrne gives me the same feeling I get from John Waters. I just want to give them a big hug and say, "Thank you for everything you've ever done." Though I bet Byrne would hate that.
I remember seeing this movie on cable as a kid. Late at night, by myself. It was weird and absolutely fascinating, like a dream. I couldn't explain it to anyone the next day. It was one of those experiences that was unique to the times; when you would just stumble across a movie and never see it again and wonder if you ever really saw it at all.
I grew up on the Talking Heads. This and Stop Making Sense are actually my two favorite movies. True Stories is something truly special. It doesn't have a negative bone in its body. It's like a fairytale. The music is amazing, Thom Yorke named Radiohead after one of the songs in this film. Any time I am feeling down, this movie can lift my spirit... it's just so charming and sweet. I love every second of the film, but Spalding Grey's monologue at the dinner table, and the fashion show are two real highlights. What an absolute joy of a movie, I am really happy to know you two also appreciate this movie. 😊
True Stories is one of my all time favorite movies. So great to see someone else digs this film. I have been petitioning Criterion for years to release the film.
This movie feels like a Monty python episode without the jokes. Just a collection of strange setups, and then before there can be a punchline, it just abruptly cuts to the next scene, where David Byrne says something like “now isn’t that strange.” It’s probably one of the best movies I’ve ever seen
@@davidjames579 It should have a bit more of a conventional plot for it to feel like a Coen brothers film, I think. I've seen most of their movies and I think either Raising Arizona, Burn After Reading or A Serious Man is their "weirdest" or least conventional movie, but they all still have a pretty conventional plot that has some structure to it and most will be able to follow pretty easily. I understand the comparison between Raising Arizona and True Stories as the subject matter is kinda similar but I feel like most Coen brothers movies are pretty different in style and intent to True Stories.
Of all the films they have discussed on re:View this is the one you should watch, its surprisingly atmospheric and sweet and quaint. If you like Napoleon Dynamite you will fucking love True Stories.
Probably my favorite band and in my opinion the best "band" movie of all time. Just a surreal look into small town life. David actually based these characters on super market tabloid articles he's read. Neat stuff.
Props to the lady at 6:39, for not flinching when Goodman spontaneously reaches out to her while simultaneously screaming in her face. Pretty sure I'd have jumped straight back.
"I have something to say...about the difference between American, and European cities. But I forgot what it is." For some reason beyond my comprehension, I friggin lost it with that line.
The simple fact that you can’t tell whether it’s endearing or satirical points to the film’s genius. Also... I haven’t seen it in 20 years but every time they show a clip, I remember it like yesterday. I must have watched it a few too many times back in college.
17:23 That dinosaur painting caught my eye! When I was a kid I used to go to the Yale Peabody Museum and they had that same exact mural painted on the walls above the dinosaur bones.
David Byrne's view on Americana has always fascinated me. If you watch the Heads' music video for Once in a Lifetime, he's mimicing Pentacostal worship-dances, and now this movie has Pops Staples practicing Voodoo. Aside from that, his portrayal of the new American landscape, and his commentaries of it, "Someone once said these highways are the cathedrals of our time... not me." make this one of my favorite movies.
"We've heard this little scene, we've heard it many times. People fighting over little things and wasting precious time. They might be better off I think, the way it seems to me. Making up their own shows... Which might be better than TV!" Ironically Byrne's utopian vision of a future where the public make their own video entertainment failed to take into account RUclips comments.
Watching _True Stories_ today, it's stylized, docu-surrealist vignettes of ironic satire & everyday eccentricity is like the base template of Wes Anderson's entire career. Byrne was ahead of his time.
Byrne is a genius. The movie is him all over: funny, heartfelt, satirical and very strange. I didn’t get much of the satire when I watched it, probably once a week (at least once a month) in my teens, but I managed to find a (very expensive) copy a couple of years ago and now I see it all over the place. What a great movie and what a killer soundtrack.
Thank you guys, just saw this gem (can find the mp4 on some LOCKERs on the internets) Is it weird that David Byrnes lines made me think deep and even tear up at times? LOVED IT
One of my favorites. I've always kind of though of it as a filmic spiritual-cousin to Pee Wee's Big Adventure; visiting this eclectic world through the eyes an eccentric narrator.
"Its almost like the real world, interpreted by an alien, and this the aliens interpretation" This is literally the perfect description of david byrnes entire career.
I remember when this came out. HUGE Talking Heads fan, this movie was so totally different from ANYTHING in that time, and it, of course, flopped. It's funny tho that lots of 4am Adult Swim shorts, Tim & Eric, etc. all have the same feel of this movie, like True Stories was far too ahead of it's time in ironic film-making.
David Byrne has always had this duality to the point almost of cognitive dissonance. Geniune, heartfelt, philosophical and compassionate thoughtfulness offset by quirky, satirical comedy out of left field. If you ever have the opportunity to see David Byrne perform live, don't hesitate for a second. It sounds trite but it really is an experience that transcends music and theater and social commentary into something that is more than the sum of its parts. Absolutely brilliant and underrated living legend.
This is why Re:View is great. Sure, I like hearing you guys talk about the classics like Robocop, Die Hard, and Tremors, but I love hearing about these obscure little movies that I can go and watch.
I grew up with this, weirdly, as i was born in 1982 in england and my mum and dad had an imported USA vhs of it, but it was one of those films i expected everyone to know from their childhoods, very nostalgic and still holds up
Maaaannn this project/movie, must have been sooo much fun to work on with a script like this !!! As a semi-retired Costume designer, here in Las Vegas, Nv. over 30 years, I'm actually a Proud native born TEXAN so this video caught me ear quickly when I heard the word Texas!!! Now I've worked on and mostly behind stage where the REAL DEAL goes on right, so I know the Cast members & Production Crew were not only exhausted but also about "mentally "interrupted" and delirious after putting in all the hours required to tally up this WORK of ART !!! (LOL) Show Biz people like us, expect the trudgery and the dreadful hours or labour --but with a sort of pleasurable FUN, so maybe in sort of a twisted kinda way --We nuts get into Entertainment in the first place ! Besides the fact that we are usually CHILDREN and we like to bring smiles to others, laugh, work hard and PLAY HARD !!! Much Love from: Mama Banks--Las Vegas Babies !!!
I still have my copy of the book, signed by David Byrne. Among a lot of wonderful stuff, it contains some of the photos that he took as inspiration for the unique visual language of the film. One of the interesting things in there is the story of how Spalding Grey developed that scene where he introduces the talent show. He got those gestures from a book of oratory style that Byrne gave him, that had photos and drawings of famous speakers. Oh, and the designs in the fashion show are all by Byrne's then-girlfriend, who was a semi-famous NY designer.
I (think) this video is what introduced me to this film, after I had begun a full listen of the Talking Heads discography 4 or 5 years ago. I have thought about it all the time and remember nearly every detail of it far better than any other film I’ve seen. I rewatched it this very morning because I wanted to and wondered if I’d actually remembered those details. I did. Great film
David Byrnes a weird guy. His music gives the exact same feeling of not really being sure whether it's satirical or not. I think it's actually both though, go listen to once in a lifetime. You'll see what I mean.
Great to see a review of this forgotten slice of 1980's weirdness, a movie I have personally introduced more than a few people to. Such a tonally unique film can be difficult to describe to someone who hasn't seen It... This odd little movie perfectly captures the dry, sardonic wit of a Talking Heads song, in a skewed vision of America that could have sprung from a vintage Weekly World News article.
My favorite Talking Heads album! Every song on it is great, and the movie is very "touching," in a way. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't like True Stories..
Pinki Mietz oh yes we’re very close. We broke up so I could grow and work on myself, and we have the mutual agreement that we may end up back together in a few years. Great man.
David Byrne tone in that movie makes me think of that recent Alan Resnick cowboy video (May I please enter) which is pretty silly but also feels refreshingly sincere.
Mark Rothko was quoted as saying “people who weep before my picture are having the same religious experience I had when I painted them.” I always thought this was a bit pretentious when looking at his fields of color. However, upon watching this movie i finally understood what he meant as I was moved to tears, not from sadness but from how I’m awe I was about the film, particularly the scene at the family dinner and then the scene right after with the dad dancing in the blue room. It was too beautiful to handle.
This is a favorite of mine. Thoughts: 1. When I first watched this in the 90s as a teen my grandmother caught a glimpse of the girl during circles on a gravel road, laughed, and said she used to do that as a little girl. It was very endearing. 2. Troubling Evidence is also an underrated song from the movie. 3. Spalding Gray's speech about the changing labor world was prophetic. Starting my profession in the late 90s I saw the old world as it transformed almost completely to what he is saying. 4.This is a movie where it was so unheard of that the music videos did better and you didn't know they were movie scenes (or that that was John Goodman in the Wild Wild Life video) until you saw it. 5. It seems almost like a primordial Wes Anderson movie. 6. I think the movie got made partially due to the success of the eponymous Johnathan Demme directed Stop Making Sense concert film. 7. I think the point (and genius) of the film is that things are always rapidly changing but we are still human. I think this is a hard concept to convey so they kept it simple. They showed the different things that had happened to that piece of earth throughout history and that things were still changing. All of this and we are still humans with universal strengths and weaknesses. Seeking companionship being one of the main ones. Goodman's looking for a mate and the engineer "shooting signals into the sky" so he could find out we aren't alone. Don't get me wrong, the movie had it's share of problem but that plus quirkiness are almost quintessential to a cult film.
I had a friend show me "Stop Making Sense" unexpectedly, and although I never watch concert movies, I was entranced the entire time, so Josh's summary at the end totally makes sense to me. David Byrne fandom spreads virally, and is incredibly virulent. I simply have to see this.
I too first saw Spalding Gray's Swimming to Cambodia when I was in my early-mid teens. He had a tremendous ability to communicate. It pleases me when I see him and his work acknowledged.
Boy oh boy I can't believe it's been 6 years. The years, they just keep coming. All the way back in 2016, I started a journey. A journey that begin the day of David Bowie's death. From Space Oddity to Black Star I listened to every studio album. I then finally decided to also start a Talking Heads journey, kick started by over Strange Overtones and seeing this review. It's been quite a ride so far. All I have is left is Naked. Then it's onto the rest of David Byrne's musical career. I don't have high expectations for a lot of it, but Ill be pretty surprised if I don't experience some gems. Gems that'll become my treasure of songs.
![Quando Rondo - Life Goes On [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/eIf3fhMXAow/mqdefault.jpg)
My dad worked on this movie and as a result I know a lot about the production of it.
Wild Wild Life was all locals that were cast at a casting call for a "talent show"
There are multiple sets of twins in this film.
The Mall is actually NorthPark Mall which is still open and doing well in Dallas.
My mom is sitting behind the producers wife during the fashion show (she's in the pink sweater).
The teeth in giant head that pops the corn on the cob are actually my dad and my uncle.
During the parade the Cute lady dies of cuteness, She was supposed to be buried in a giant fuzzy pink casket, This scene was cut from the film.
The room Pop Staples does his ritual in was decorated by my dad.
TheMentalLizard AWESOME
That's pretty cool. Who's your dad? Like, what was his job title for the film?
They used NorthPark for the interior but the exterior was Big Town Mall in Mesquite which was torn down in the 2000s.
@@muffdiver240 don't be such a jackass. Goodman and Larriva's characters were introduced early on in the film and feature continuously throughout - so, TheMentalLizard was obviously talking about the others at mic on stage during the song, apart from members of Talking Heads themselves... which brings me to your idiotic Ricky Schroder belief - it was NOT Schroder imitating Billy Idol , it was Talking Heads keyboardist and guitarist JERRY HARRISON (also as Prince, as a generic Karate practitioner and a Cuban-style character). Perhaps you just have Schroder's 'Silver Spoons' image stuck in your mind. Admittedly, his childhood nose is near-identical to Harrison's adult nose, so that's probably the catalyst for your erroneous assumption.
@@muffdiver240 You sure are a stickler for detail, mister, but you have every right to be so, I suppose.
David Byrne's character here reminds me of Joe Pera's shtick. So wholesome it's creepy, but _so wholesome_ it wraps back around to feeling genuine and funny.
Joe Pera Talks with You has to be one of my favorite shows
YES! That is exactly what I thought too!
dude love the profile picture. I don't even remember what that game was called but he was my favorite character. best zombie indie ever
I swear I felt Joe Pera talk to you vibes as well.
I get some 'How To with John Wilson' vibes from this too
“It’s like the world observed by an alien.” That describes a lot of David Byrne’s Talking Heads lyrics. I’ve always thought that.
When I started listening to TH/Byrne I always thought of Oliver Sacks' description of an autistic person (actually Dr Temple Grandin) as 'an anthropolologist on Mars'.
Then years later David outed himself as being 'probably' autistic.
It made so much sense!
@@sarahq5294 as an autistic person i felt his narration in the film weirdly relatable. Huge fan of TH/David Byrne
That’s what it is to be an Aspergian.
I love David Byrne's non-judgmental depictions. He respects his audience enough that they should have their own morals. He will never tell you something is good and bad. He shows you what is, in the most creative way and you should know if that is good or bad.
Goodman didn't lie. He's maintained a panda bear shape for decades now.
Not any more!
@evo5dave he's still panda bear-esk I'd say. Go easy on him, he's older now and it's more difficult for him to maintain a perfect panda bear shape. If it was easy then we'd all have that body.
I like the Jay and Josh combo tbh, always talk about interesting movies.
Any combination of Jay, Josh and Colin results in some great movie recommendations!
They seem like the biggest actual film buffs
This was John Goodman's breakthrough role; he was a virtual unknown when he was cast in True Stories. In some ways it arguably hurts the film (a little bit) when you see it for the first time nowadays, having such a recognizable star in there among the mostly-unknowns playing the locals, so it's worth remembering that when this film was released he stood out for his performance, not just because "Oh look, it's John Goodman" :)
He was in Revenge of the Nerds prior to this, but in less of a stand out performance
@@ziggystardog He was also brilliantly hilarious in Raising Arizona.
I actually quite liked that he was the one face I recognised, makes it a bit easier to anchor in a strange way
Louis is kind of our "Virgil" ( Of Dante, not the town). Guiding us through the unknown.
David Bryne is a pretty sharp guy. In his book "How Music Works," there are a few insightful chapters about why music has developed the way it has. Fairly obvious stuff once you've read it, but also stuff you probably aren't going to hear too many other people talking about.
Whats his take on how music has changed the way it has?
The stuff about the artists subconsciously adapting their music based on where it's going to be played is fascinating.
@@Dontrel3030 Makes a lot of sense, like once cars got radios, we got a lot of songs about driving cars :)
It's like David Lynch video without the creepiness.
I actually was thinking of The Straight Story the whole time I was watching it.
David Lynch without the creepiness ... yes, that pretty much nails it. This film has a similar eye for smalltown weird but it observes the characters in a genial and vaguely bemused sort of way rather than trying to show us that everything's all dark and festering under the surface, like Lynch would.
its Comfy Lynch
The first song on the soundtrack album for this movie is titled Road Song, it's the one that plays over the montage at the films opening. It's credited to two artists: David Byrne and Meredith Monk. Yes, THAT Meredith Monk. This video was fortuitous
That’s absolutely WOP WOP WOP… WOP WOP WOnder to hear
@@diamondrel5190 I'm sitting here laughing my ass off because RUclips's software decided your comment needed a "translate" button under it. Turtle Dreams definitely needed a translate button.
Never thought I would be reminded of Turtle Dreams again XD
This sounds like the greatest movie ever made.
holy shit that was one of the greatest movies ever made
Noah King ikr
I love this movie so much, it’s a wonderful little film
Hands down, one of the best. About to watch it with my now grown child, who hasn’t seen it, 😃 and I’m going to die of happiness 🥰
It's sick honestly
There's a Talking Heads song called The Big Country which this film reminds me of. It's about a man flying in a plane over a small town. He describes the town in a similar, quirky, off-beat sort of way that the movie does. But then the chorus turns savage; he says "I wouldn't live there, if you paid me. I couldn't live like that, no siree."
The move is more subtle than the song. The attitude of the chorus is never voiced explicitly. But there is satire, albeit quite gentle and good-natured. The tone of the film is so delicate. Irony and sincerity are so close together here that it's impossible to tease them apart.
It seems that even "The Big Country" isn't really an anti-small town song at heart. "In an interview with Marc Maron in 2015, however, David Byrne claimed that the song is a satire of popular culture’s image of him: i.e. as a snobby city kid. However, in reality, he says that he has a deep respect for the smaller parts of the U.S."
The big country is my favorite talking heads song. While watching the film I thought the movie was a better understanding of the song. I was waiting to hear it! I’m glad you find the connection as well.
I see Byrnes oppinion of small towns as like "I dont want to live there because I don't fit, but I admire that these people really enjoy it." Like it's hard to explain, but theres sort of this fetish in america for small towns where everyone has a defined role, but theres also hatred for them as being too inside and rejecting outsiders.
I think true stories is kind of saying "just let them be weird on their own, don't try to force your way in because you wont fit. And your ideas of their life arent true".I think this is most exemplified in that Byrne has this cowboy getup, which is the popular depiction for a small texas town, but everyone there is wearing weird highly consumerist outfits that are associated with the big city. I think hes actually forming a clever duality here, where virgil is both a small town and a big city, and he is the visitor from the opposite location.
My film professor showed us this movie in class. I loved it. The reactions from the other students were a mixed bag of confusion and frustration.
3:00 I love this scene. It's obvious Louis is put off by what the lying woman is saying, but he doesn't comment on it at all. He could be upset about how frequently she obviously lies, but he's unassuming enough that he might merely be upset about how long she talks without letting him chime in. He might even be upset because he believes what shes saying and thinks he's not right for her because she lives an eventful, exhausting life, and he's not ready for that.
The segment of John Goodman singing ''People Like Us'' will forever live on gloriously in my memories.
David loves science, the characters that hide in people and also deadpan humour. Also his music and writings are incredibly optimistic and open in nature. This film seems to be an intersection of all of these things. Thanks for drawing my attention to it.
The Criterion Collection put out a pretty amazing release of this film. The film's transfer looks absolutely gorgeous.
Good to know. The non letter-boxed version has always disappointed me.
"I like sad songs. They make me wanna lie on the ground."
"lie on the FLOOR" so close.
That's such a David Byrne line, almost like something from Talking Heads.
Here, it's Radiohead
you do it to yourself
As an autistic person, I have a really strong connection to this movie and David Byrne's work.
me too!
When I lived in .NYC people told me I was autistic...I probably am actually...but seriously this movie captured a surreal quality Texas really had in the 80s
David Byrne is autistic too
Thank you RLM for this RE:view, I never would have seen this movie if you hadn't done this. What a great film.
Wow, awesome to see more people who love this movie. As a small-town Texan (Paris specifically, which is about 700 miles east of where they shot that Wim Wenders flick), I always thought True Stories was the best representation of what that life is like. Yeah, it's not quite as weird as Byrne depicts it to be, but it's just close enough to reality that you can imagine there being a place, hidden away from the highways and interstates, where this is the norm. Everything about the setting--the landscapes, the big factories, the weird parades and conventions, the clear visual conflict between the old and new--is spot on. I have no idea how some weirdo from New York managed to nail it so well.
It also pairs well with Linklater's Slacker, if you wanna see the natural weirdness you get in the big cities.
Finally a new re:View, love this series a lot.
Darth Heit I wouldn't say I loved it that much.
Me personally, I think I'd give it an 11/10, me personally, I loved it, if you ask me.
I don't want to seem like I love it too much.
oh hey a genuine comment buried under a sea of memes and bullshit, warms my heart
David Byrne gives me the same feeling I get from John Waters. I just want to give them a big hug and say, "Thank you for everything you've ever done." Though I bet Byrne would hate that.
I remember seeing this movie on cable as a kid. Late at night, by myself. It was weird and absolutely fascinating, like a dream. I couldn't explain it to anyone the next day. It was one of those experiences that was unique to the times; when you would just stumble across a movie and never see it again and wonder if you ever really saw it at all.
If anyone doesn't know what David Byrne is about, just watch Stop Making Sense and you'll understand completely
I grew up on the Talking Heads. This and Stop Making Sense are actually my two favorite movies. True Stories is something truly special. It doesn't have a negative bone in its body. It's like a fairytale. The music is amazing, Thom Yorke named Radiohead after one of the songs in this film. Any time I am feeling down, this movie can lift my spirit... it's just so charming and sweet. I love every second of the film, but Spalding Grey's monologue at the dinner table, and the fashion show are two real highlights. What an absolute joy of a movie, I am really happy to know you two also appreciate this movie. 😊
I personally loved this video
I clapped when I saw Jay.
I also loved this video, 11/10
I loved the vistas, did you love the vistas ?
i clapped when i saw josh
Just kidding
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say... Better than Empire.
True Stories is one of my all time favorite movies. So great to see someone else digs this film. I have been petitioning Criterion for years to release the film.
Your petitioning paid off!
This movie feels like a Monty python episode without the jokes. Just a collection of strange setups, and then before there can be a punchline, it just abruptly cuts to the next scene, where David Byrne says something like “now isn’t that strange.” It’s probably one of the best movies I’ve ever seen
True Stories and Raising Arizona would either be a great double feature... or way too much John Goodman.
caffeineadvocate Add Barton Fink to that, and you’ll be good... man
Pfft. There's no such thing as "too much" John Goodman
(unless you're his doctor)
You can never have too much John Goodman.
@@davidjames579 It should have a bit more of a conventional plot for it to feel like a Coen brothers film, I think. I've seen most of their movies and I think either Raising Arizona, Burn After Reading or A Serious Man is their "weirdest" or least conventional movie, but they all still have a pretty conventional plot that has some structure to it and most will be able to follow pretty easily.
I understand the comparison between Raising Arizona and True Stories as the subject matter is kinda similar but I feel like most Coen brothers movies are pretty different in style and intent to True Stories.
@@readordiefanatic
The exception to that, being Walter Sobchak from "The Big Lebowski".
When I saw Jay and Josh I applauded, because I know them!!!
IT BROKE NEW GROUND!!!!
I see things I recognize. If you're a fan of the RedLetterMedia franchise, you're gonna love this video.
AT-STs AT-STs AT-STs
Hacks... frauds.... these are things I know.
Lee OfBacup It took 12 years to make?
A Criterion Edition for this was announced recently! Can't wait!
God, I've loved David Byrne and the Talking Heads since I was little. I never imagined y'all would cover this film, it's so great
Of all the films they have discussed on re:View this is the one you should watch, its surprisingly atmospheric and sweet and quaint. If you like Napoleon Dynamite you will fucking love True Stories.
Probably my favorite band and in my opinion the best "band" movie of all time. Just a surreal look into small town life. David actually based these characters on super market tabloid articles he's read. Neat stuff.
Wow, this movie looks super interesting.
Props to the lady at 6:39, for not flinching when Goodman spontaneously reaches out to her while simultaneously screaming in her face. Pretty sure I'd have jumped straight back.
This is one of the most relaxing film I've sit through; you just let yourself soak in the sights and sounds.
"I have something to say...about the difference between American, and European cities. But I forgot what it is." For some reason beyond my comprehension, I friggin lost it with that line.
"I've got it written down at home somewhere."
Bit of a Twin Peaks vibe.
The simple fact that you can’t tell whether it’s endearing or satirical points to the film’s genius. Also... I haven’t seen it in 20 years but every time they show a clip, I remember it like yesterday. I must have watched it a few too many times back in college.
17:23 That dinosaur painting caught my eye! When I was a kid I used to go to the Yale Peabody Museum and they had that same exact mural painted on the walls above the dinosaur bones.
Jay/Wizard are the best re:view episodes
David Byrne's view on Americana has always fascinated me.
If you watch the Heads' music video for Once in a Lifetime, he's mimicing Pentacostal worship-dances, and now this movie has Pops Staples practicing Voodoo.
Aside from that, his portrayal of the new American landscape, and his commentaries of it, "Someone once said these highways are the cathedrals of our time... not me." make this one of my favorite movies.
"We've heard this little scene, we've heard it many times.
People fighting over little things and wasting precious time.
They might be better off I think, the way it seems to me.
Making up their own shows...
Which might be better than TV!"
Ironically Byrne's utopian vision of a future where the public make their own video entertainment failed to take into account RUclips comments.
This was a remarkably sweet change of pace. Thanks, guys.
Watching _True Stories_ today, it's stylized, docu-surrealist vignettes of ironic satire & everyday eccentricity is like the base template of Wes Anderson's entire career. Byrne was ahead of his time.
I love True Stories. Never thought I'd see it on Re;View.
Byrne is a genius. The movie is him all over: funny, heartfelt, satirical and very strange. I didn’t get much of the satire when I watched it, probably once a week (at least once a month) in my teens, but I managed to find a (very expensive) copy a couple of years ago and now I see it all over the place. What a great movie and what a killer soundtrack.
Thank you guys, just saw this gem (can find the mp4 on some LOCKERs on the internets)
Is it weird that David Byrnes lines made me think deep and even tear up at times?
LOVED IT
ive watched the movie 5 times so far :0
One of my favorites. I've always kind of though of it as a filmic spiritual-cousin to Pee Wee's Big Adventure; visiting this eclectic world through the eyes an eccentric narrator.
Yeah! So true, Pee Wee’s Big Adventure is my favourite film. So makes sense that I love it so much.
"Its almost like the real world, interpreted by an alien, and this the aliens interpretation" This is literally the perfect description of david byrnes entire career.
I remember when this came out. HUGE Talking Heads fan, this movie was so totally different from ANYTHING in that time, and it, of course, flopped. It's funny tho that lots of 4am Adult Swim shorts, Tim & Eric, etc. all have the same feel of this movie, like True Stories was far too ahead of it's time in ironic film-making.
Silvanas Max True Stories always reminded me of a really subtle version Christopher Guest movie with better music.
David Byrne has always had this duality to the point almost of cognitive dissonance. Geniune, heartfelt, philosophical and compassionate thoughtfulness offset by quirky, satirical comedy out of left field. If you ever have the opportunity to see David Byrne perform live, don't hesitate for a second. It sounds trite but it really is an experience that transcends music and theater and social commentary into something that is more than the sum of its parts. Absolutely brilliant and underrated living legend.
Watched the whole movie immediately after watching the review. Amazing.
"City of Dreams" makes me cry every time. It's just so wistfully sad.
The way it centers on small town life and eccentric characters with that dry, artful tone reminds me of Napoleon Dynamite.
Love this series. Every time you two have shown a film, I've gone and watched it right after.
Wow. Amazing pick for re:View.
This is why Re:View is great. Sure, I like hearing you guys talk about the classics like Robocop, Die Hard, and Tremors, but I love hearing about these obscure little movies that I can go and watch.
Yes! Yes! Awesome episode, this is the kind of stuff I'm sub'd for. Thank you!!
Jay and Josh are by far my favourite re:View duo
I grew up with this, weirdly, as i was born in 1982 in england and my mum and dad had an imported USA vhs of it, but it was one of those films i expected everyone to know from their childhoods, very nostalgic and still holds up
Me, personally...I guess I'll have to check out this movie. But that's just my ppinion.
ppinion, ghostbusters scientist man, things I know!
I personally liked this video, just personally, you know? And I will accept no blasphemy of the faith to the contrary.
niche reference brah
I loved it at the time, but it's dated badly.
@@bingsinatra5283 how??? i think it's only gotten better with age
Maaaannn this project/movie, must have been sooo much fun to work on with a script like this !!! As a semi-retired Costume designer, here in Las Vegas, Nv. over 30 years, I'm actually a Proud native born TEXAN so this video caught me ear quickly when I heard the word Texas!!!
Now I've worked on and mostly behind stage where the REAL DEAL goes on right, so I know the Cast members & Production Crew were not only exhausted but also about "mentally "interrupted" and delirious after putting in all the hours required to tally up this WORK of ART !!! (LOL)
Show Biz people like us, expect the trudgery and the dreadful hours or labour --but with a sort of pleasurable FUN, so maybe in sort of a twisted kinda way --We nuts get into Entertainment in the first place !
Besides the fact that we are usually CHILDREN and we like to bring smiles to others, laugh, work hard and PLAY HARD !!! Much Love from: Mama Banks--Las Vegas Babies !!!
I like hearing you guys talk about movies you like. It's refreshing to have something to not be miserable about.
you guys are pumping out alot of great content lately, loving it. my fave youtube channel.
Oh my god! True Stories is amazing. So awesome you guys watched it. David Byrne is something else.
I still have my copy of the book, signed by David Byrne. Among a lot of wonderful stuff, it contains some of the photos that he took as inspiration for the unique visual language of the film. One of the interesting things in there is the story of how Spalding Grey developed that scene where he introduces the talent show. He got those gestures from a book of oratory style that Byrne gave him, that had photos and drawings of famous speakers.
Oh, and the designs in the fashion show are all by Byrne's then-girlfriend, who was a semi-famous NY designer.
I (think) this video is what introduced me to this film, after I had begun a full listen of the Talking Heads discography 4 or 5 years ago. I have thought about it all the time and remember nearly every detail of it far better than any other film I’ve seen. I rewatched it this very morning because I wanted to and wondered if I’d actually remembered those details. I did. Great film
I saw this during its theatrical release. Drove a ways to see it. Talking Heads in Dolby Stereo? Couldn't miss it. The world needs a Bluray of this.
David Byrnes a weird guy. His music gives the exact same feeling of not really being sure whether it's satirical or not. I think it's actually both though, go listen to once in a lifetime. You'll see what I mean.
Great to see a review of this forgotten slice of 1980's weirdness, a movie I have personally introduced more than a few people to. Such a tonally unique film can be difficult to describe to someone who hasn't seen It... This odd little movie perfectly captures the dry, sardonic wit of a Talking Heads song, in a skewed vision of America that could have sprung from a vintage Weekly World News article.
we used to play Love for Sale on college radio from 89-91. what a soundtrack!
My favorite Talking Heads album! Every song on it is great, and the movie is very "touching," in a way. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't like True Stories..
Such an underrated film and album
David Byrne's a qt
Todd Howard my ex boyfriend looks and acts just like him. It’s fantastic.
@@EmilyRose-sy6mv Hope you're still friends.
Pinki Mietz oh yes we’re very close. We broke up so I could grow and work on myself, and we have the mutual agreement that we may end up back together in a few years. Great man.
@@EmilyRose-sy6mv the Bethesda CEO Todd 'has a massive rod' Howard
@@EmilyRose-sy6mv Maturity in the most literal sense. That’s great.
I stumbled on this movie on tv late late at night and was hypnotized. Great movie
i went and rented true stories bc of this video and i totally loved it!!!
David Byrne tone in that movie makes me think of that recent Alan Resnick cowboy video (May I please enter) which is pretty silly but also feels refreshingly sincere.
As a big fan of Talking Heads as well, I love this movie. It's loosely based on a bunch of stories in the Weekly World News, hence the ironic title.
Mark Rothko was quoted as saying “people who weep before my picture are having the same religious experience I had when I painted them.” I always thought this was a bit pretentious when looking at his fields of color. However, upon watching this movie i finally understood what he meant as I was moved to tears, not from sadness but from how I’m awe I was about the film, particularly the scene at the family dinner and then the scene right after with the dad dancing in the blue room. It was too beautiful to handle.
This is a favorite of mine.
Thoughts:
1. When I first watched this in the 90s as a teen my grandmother caught a glimpse of the girl during circles on a gravel road, laughed, and said she used to do that as a little girl. It was very endearing.
2. Troubling Evidence is also an underrated song from the movie.
3. Spalding Gray's speech about the changing labor world was prophetic. Starting my profession in the late 90s I saw the old world as it transformed almost completely to what he is saying.
4.This is a movie where it was so unheard of that the music videos did better and you didn't know they were movie scenes (or that that was John Goodman in the Wild Wild Life video) until you saw it.
5. It seems almost like a primordial Wes Anderson movie.
6. I think the movie got made partially due to the success of the eponymous Johnathan Demme directed Stop Making Sense concert film.
7. I think the point (and genius) of the film is that things are always rapidly changing but we are still human. I think this is a hard concept to convey so they kept it simple. They showed the different things that had happened to that piece of earth throughout history and that things were still changing. All of this and we are still humans with universal strengths and weaknesses. Seeking companionship being one of the main ones. Goodman's looking for a mate and the engineer "shooting signals into the sky" so he could find out we aren't alone.
Don't get me wrong, the movie had it's share of problem but that plus quirkiness are almost quintessential to a cult film.
great movie deep philosophical watching and lot of amazing metaphors.
I herd the music in USSR at 1988 and first time watch the film only in 2007
RLM, we need a F U Its January review :)
Resident Evil The Final Chapter is coming later this month
This should have all the upvotes^^
Fuck, they're still making RE movies?
This has my upvote
choibacco I read that as "red lives matter"
LOVE this movie! Drove over an hour to see it in a theater when it was first released.
Awesome episode.
I'm a music guy, but I'd never heard of this weird little film...thanks, Josh!
I had a friend show me "Stop Making Sense" unexpectedly, and although I never watch concert movies, I was entranced the entire time, so Josh's summary at the end totally makes sense to me. David Byrne fandom spreads virally, and is incredibly virulent. I simply have to see this.
I remember trying to show this movie to people and no one would watch it with me. I need better friends.
I too first saw Spalding Gray's Swimming to Cambodia when I was in my early-mid teens. He had a tremendous ability to communicate. It pleases me when I see him and his work acknowledged.
This is my favorite show RLM does, besides Best of the Worst.
This one of my all time favorite comedies! Love hearing someone talking about with such affection!
I love this multi purpose movie....beautiful, heart warming, genius
I loved this. It's so good to hear you lot talking about something you enjoy, for a change. I'm a huge Talking Heads fan, too.
Wait, this isnt about Star Wars a Rouge Star Story at all!
It's about David Byrne: A True Story
I personally loved that movie
It's all meme now. All of it. Scientists have discovered the universe is a 3-dimensional meme on an 11 dimensional meme substrate, made out of meme.
...on ice
I'm imagining Solo, as directed by David Byrne, and it's beautiful.
Thanks for making me discover this movie, gotta watch it. Keep doing reviews of movies like these please!!
This must be the origins of the "Wild Life" video. Goodman was in that video too.
The wild life video is essentially a trailer for the movie.
Boy oh boy I can't believe it's been 6 years. The years, they just keep coming. All the way back in 2016, I started a journey. A journey that begin the day of David Bowie's death. From Space Oddity to Black Star I listened to every studio album. I then finally decided to also start a Talking Heads journey, kick started by over Strange Overtones and seeing this review. It's been quite a ride so far. All I have is left is Naked. Then it's onto the rest of David Byrne's musical career. I don't have high expectations for a lot of it, but Ill be pretty surprised if I don't experience some gems. Gems that'll become my treasure of songs.
Anyone else super stoked that this film is coming to Criterion?
6 years later i'm going to check this out, looks great!