1996 neo-Western mystery film by John Sayles
Lone Star is a 1996 American neo-Western mystery film written, edited, and directed by John Sayles. Set in a small town in South Texas, the film deals with a sheriff's (played by Chris Cooper) investigation into the murder of one of his predecessors (Kris Kristofferson) decades earlier. The cast also stars Joe Morton, Elizabeth Peña, Clifton James, Ron Canada, Frances McDormand and Matthew McConaughey.
The film premiered at the 1996 South by Southwest Festival and received widespread critical acclaim, with critics regarding it as a high point of 1990s independent cinema as well as one of Sayles's best films. Sayles's screenplay was nominated for an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, and Golden Globe Award. The film was also nominated for four Independent Spirit Awards, with Elizabeth Peña winning Best Supporting Female.
Lone Star was recognized by the American Film Institute in AFI's 10 Top 10 list in 2008 as a nominated Western Film.
Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.