Wim Wender

Wim Wender

A man wanders through the scenic desert, lost and alone. After losing everything, the film sees him find everything only to lose it again, but out of choice the second time round.

After Travis is found in a bar, his brother, Walt, is called. In the following scenes, we see Walt eager to hear his brother’s voice, after missing for four years. As Travis slowly opens up, Walt is delighted, and we become more engulfed in this mysterious character.

As they reach Los Angeles, the audience see the reunion of Travis and his son, Hunter, who has been under the wing of his brother and his wife ever since. The slow reconciliation of father and son is touching. Both make an effort to come to terms with the strange circumstances they are faced with, but build a strong bond soon after.

The final (and most intriguing) reunion occurs between Travis and his lost love, Jane. He finds her in a strip bar, where they liaise in a booth, where only Travis can see her, but she, not him. He delivers a heartfelt monologue, revealing all, causing her to slowly realise who is behind the one-way mirror.

Although the film is entirely about reunion, in the end, it becomes clear that Travis’ main motive was to restore the relationships between those he had left bewildered.

 

Paris, Texas
director WIM WENDERS
year 1984 
director of photography ROBBY MÜLLER
cast HARRY DEAN STANTON, NASTASSJA KINSKI, DEAN STOCKWELL, AURORE CLÉMENT and BERNHARD WICKI

words PRIYESH PATEL

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