Filmmaker reacts to Paris, Texas (1984) for the FIRST TIME! 

What an unexpectedly beautiful film..I love this. Want to vote on what I should watch next? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema Have a great day!

One of the most beautifully shot films I’ve ever seen. I wish more understated and quiet films like this would get mainstream attention in modern day US cinema. The phone booth speech scene lives rent free in my brain, especially the reflection shot with the characters’ faces. Really glad you saw this.

No way! I've been waiting for you to watch this ever since I found your channel. It is my absolute favorite movie of all time, perfect in every way to me. I have a hard time concentrating for such a long time usually with a film but I always get totally lost in this one. It gives me an indescribable feeling deep in my soul. The colors, the landscapes, the cinematography, the sounds and music, the silent moments, the facial expressions, the dialogues, the melancholy... It breaks my heart in just the right way. Harry Dean Stanton was a brilliant actor, may he rest in peace. And it's so cool that the director is German since a lot of mainstream movies from my country suck and many people don't know about gems like this. How could a fellow German make me nostalgic about a time and place I had never even known? Much love to you James ❤

This is such a great film from Wim Wenders! Another great film he did was Wings of Desire, which inspired City of Angels. Wings of Desire is such a beautiful and philosophical work of art.

Man, the miniscule amount of leading roles Harry Dean Stanton had is a crime

Wes Anderson has cited this film as an influence, specifically the home-movies scene. The final shot is a reference to the Searchers.The edit where Harry Dean Staunton is standing in front of a skyline but it edits to another camera angle showing it as a painted backdrop is the best kind of cinematic image that says more than a thousand words. Your observation that he looks at the ground instead of the sky (which is kind of like looking to the past instead of the future) is a resonant one - given what the title refers to, the search for origins or 'groundedness', in the context of a young country like America where people aren't really connected to the land or soi. If you didn't know, the director Wim Wenders is German (or Austrian, don't remember) this film and earlier ones like Alice in the Cities are looking at America and U.S pop culture thru a specifically European lens

Wings of Desire was an instant all-time favorite of mine so I've been saving more Wenders, as I do for anybody I don't want to blow through the filmographies of and feel an empty hole where excitement used to be.

Immediately after I saw this I hugged my dad. I just LUNGED at him and told him how much I love him Currently my favorite movie of all time I'm so happy you like it

An essential masterpiece. More arthouse classics of the 1980s worth checking out: _Bagdad Cafe_ (dir. Percy Adlon, 1987) _Brother From Another Planet_ (dir. John Sayles, 1984) _Wings Of Desire_ (dir. Wim Wenders, 1987)

Fun fact: I’m pretty sure this was Kurt cobain’s favorite movie

One of the greatest films ever. The cinematography is astonishing.

I wish you hadn´t edited the part when he meets the crazy guy who was screaming at the bridge.

Just a total masterpiece of a film. You need to see "Wings of Desire", also by Wim Wenders, if you haven't seen it.

Yay! Finally someone reacts to this one! Such a great film! I hope you'll give Wings of Desire a chance, as well. Wenders is such a unique director!

Wow this is why i like your channel, you watch some real gems that no one else does....i just recently watched this film a few weeks ago on Criterion and i absolutely loved it. One of the most emotionally powerful final acts I've ever seen.

I saw this movie when it was released , so beautiful and haunting. You can feel the aching in his soul throughout ... so happy that Harry Dean Stanton got a meaty lead role for once. Ry Cooder's soundtrack is a huge star in this movie as well.

This film is so beautiful you need to watch more Wim Wenders films. Wings of Desire and The American Friend are amazing and are must watches. Robby Muller's cinematography in The American Friend is unmatched and he did it for Paris,Texas too.

It’s kinda overwhelming to watch for me personally. It brings closure and pain altogether in such a uncomfortably grounded way. It’s so beautiful and sad, but mostly beautiful.

Nihilistic...the reject of philosophical practices as an "absolute " meaningful, we all experience it...some will never become rich, some will never enjoy their work, ....some will never gonna stay in love or find love....that's a damn tragedy specially when you almost reach it by the edge of your fingers and it just... " escape you " ; like a star distance from you...

I got to edit one of Wim Wenders' essay collections, "A Sense of Place", where he clearly says that he finds the location first, and the story fllows from the feeling of the location - a pretty unique approach to filmmaking, I think. But perfectly fitting for Wenders (and his amazing DOP Robby Müller), who is an amazing photographer and an ardent traveller. I always like it when non-Americans make American genre films like Westerns or Road Movies, because the result usually is at once MORE American and MORE foreign at the same time, like Verhoevens US action movies or, well, this film. Wenders clearly is a US-romantic, deeply inspired by Edward Hopper and the grand vistas of the West, almost to the popint of chliché, but also brings a distinct European atmosphere to the acting, the pace and the story. As you totally correctly said: This is not Hollywood movie. May I also recommend "Wings of Desire" and "The American Friend"?

Dude, So glad that you're finally being exposed to Wim Wenders. Check out he's 5 hour directors cut of "Until The End Of The World".

Beautiful Wim Wenders movie! I highly recommend his latest film Perfect Days, shot in Japan.

I will urge you to see more Wim Wenders films when you have a chance.

Wim Wenders is sooooo great. Wings of Desire is the single most beautiful film ever made, IMO.

Highly recommend you watch another film set in Texas that also came out in 1984, 'Blood Simple' which was the Coen Brothers' first film. The editing and cinematography are absolutely legendary.

yo bro im from paris texas lol yeah good day here. funny thing about this movie is there is not a single shot of the town anywhere in it. even the post card is some random city. amazingly shot movie but it would have been nice to at least feature something from the town in it.

Harry Dean Stanton is amazing in anything. REPO MAN (1984) was another great one with him.

Great reaction as always! Frankly an entire series of reactions to the cinematography of Robby Muller, who shot this film, would be amazing. James would love the Alex Cox movie Repo Men for sure. That would be a fun reaction. But Robby worked with all the greats, from Jarmusch, Jerry Shatzberg and Wim Wenders to Lars Von trier, William Friedkin and Peter Bogdanovich. Plus, Joan Macklin Silver, John McNaughton, Paul Bartel, Barbet Schroeder... he collaborated with so many cool filmmakers! He even worked with Raul Ruiz, who is as respected as Coppola or Welles, but most average film viewers don't know who he is LOL so much love and respect for Mr. Muller.

Duuude, I've been waiting for someone to react to this gem for a while now. Excited to see what you have to say!

This is one of the most impactful films I’ve ever seen. I’m really glad you saw this one.

Glad you're getting around to this one. Quite possibly my favorite film ever.

Amazing film. "Alice in den Städten" and "Until the end of the world" are a couple of other must-watch Wim Wenders films.

Two beautiful things from this film were the cinematography and Nassitaja Kinski

Wim Wenders is one of my favourite filmmakers. It would be really interesting if you could react to 'The State Of Things' and 'Lisbon Story' These are two films about films. I think you would like them. I like Lisbon Story better.

I'm so pleased this finally won the poll and this wonderful, intimate little film can get more of a spotlight. Harry Dean Stanton is such an incredible character actor, and his performance in this in particular has stayed with me for years. The cinematography is stunning and the shot of Kinksi turning in that pink sweater is a favorite.

"New German Cinema's" most prominent directors are Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Werner Herzog and Wim Wenders

This movie hit me like a freight train a little over 30 years ago and a small part of it has been lodged there ever since. The notes from Ryan Cooder's guitar are making that little burr of feeling vibrate in harmony to the memory of that long ago impact.

Oh damn, I got so excited when I saw that you're reacting to this! Harry Dean Stanton is one of my favorite actors, so it was a shame that this was his only leading role until his last one, Lucky, right before he passed away.

Wim Wenders is a director you could really dig. WINGS OF DESIRE is his masterpiece. And I won't tell you anything else about it.

Another similar film with Harry Dean Stanton (in a small role) is "Two-Lane Blacktop". It is in the genre of films-where-nothing -happens, so a lot of people don't like it but I think it's great. Starring James Taylor and Dennis Wilson (of the Beach Boys).

Wim Wenders is a master at showing over telling. so many beautiful films. my favorite might be Alice in the cities. very similar to Paris, Texas, but in Germany. I love how the German new wave looked at America, so yearning and so brutally real and always touching to the core. if you really want to have your heart broken over the American dream, it doesn't get any more beautiful and quietly devastating than Herzog's 'Stroszek'

Doesn't hurt thatSam Shepard, one of the greatest American playwrights of all time, co-wrote the screenplay.

Beautiful tender film. Harry Dean Stanton is perfect in this and Ry Cooder's score is just wonderful.

Beautiful film. Wim Wenders learned from the best - Michelangelo Antonioni.

Just adding to the list of those recommending Wings of Desire by Wenders. Great, great film. Fassbinder also has some great films. German cinema of the 70s and 80s is chock full of hidden gems.

Wim Wenders is an interesting filmmaker. Wings of Desire is another gem you should check out. ✌️

If you haven't seen it yet, I can't recommend Raising Arizona enough. It's definitely right up your alley!

I was listening to the soundtrack on vinyl before I even saw the film.

This is such an emotional film. It slowly draws you in. Every performance is excellent, even the little boy, the actor was 7 years old, remarkable.

I recorded my grandkids on my cellphone so i have a filmmakers channel too.

I just watched it yesterday in the cinema (my local cinema was doing a Cannes special week) and was incredible ✨such an unique experience, I still mesmerized by it. And loved your reaction btw

I haven’t seen this film yet but it’s on the watch list especially named after my hometown

The favorite film of both Kurt Cobain and Elliot Smith.

Absolutely one of my favorites of all time. Please check out more Wim Wenders (Wings of Desire, and maybe Until the End of the World if you have 5 hours to spare) when you have the chance

really liked the vibe and the charcters in this movie

You have a special Patreon community - not many reaction channels could have a poll in which this movie would win. Yet it is one of the greats.

God bless the road movie!!! 🫶🏻

an all time favourite of mine. life changing shit

A great movie about the power of love.

Harry Dean Stanton, AKA: a national treasure.

One of the greatest films ever made.

Wim Wenders The American Friend is an absolute masterpiece

Such a good movie! Very glad you saw this

I really enjoy the melancholy vibe of this film, I’m glad you did too James.

Sheeeeeeeeet Video Dropped 22 minutes ago... I haven't been this early since I was 22 minutes late for work this morning That's a compliment by the way

Beautiful film, apparentely also was Kurt Cobain's favorite. Your reaction makes me wanna watch it again, ngl

One of my greatest movies of all time.

I’ve been wanting to watch this forever but there’s nowhere to get a hold of it in Canada :/ will come back here when I can finally see it myself, hope you enjoyed it

Thanks James and well done Patreon crew. You did the right thing.

Let's go

Just watched this for the first time yesterday wtf

I just rewatched this for the first time in about 6 years. Harry Dean Stanton was one of the absolute greatest. Immeasurably beautiful movie, and I always love seeing Houston in movies!

Great reaction to a fantastic movie. Wim Wenders is a wonderfull director and Robby Müller a genius cinematographer. If you like his style you realy should check out the things he did with Jim Jarmusch: Down by Law, Mystery Train, Dead Man.

Lucky (2017) is a great movie specifically written for Harry Dean Stanton. It's about a man in his nineties realizing his mortality

Yo I lived in Paris Texas as a kid. Have no idea if it's the same tho lol

Harry Dean Stanton was brilliant. First found him through David Lynch, but everything he did was great.

Thank you for your reacting to this beautiful film. It is one of my favorite films and it has had a positive impact on me. The budget for this film was $3,000,000. I think this was Harry Dean Stanton's and Nastassja Kinski's best work. The actually play was written by Sam Shepard and the movie was directed by Wim Wenders. I think Paris, Texas highlights a character flaw/psychopathology that ultimately destroys relationships (even in nice people). It occurs when we don't truly see and love our spouse/partner for who they are, but expect them to be a copy of us--our expectations and fantasies "we use them to fill our own emptiness." This film shows how a multi-generational emotional sickness can impact a family.

I saw Paris, Texas at the cinema, in the UK, in 1984 and it's been in my top 10 ever since. 1984 was a great year for films in my top 10 as Once Upon A Time In America and the my favourite film of all time, The Terminator, we're both 1984 as well though The Terminator didn't hit the UK till early 1985.

I put off watching this film for a while and just finished it about 30 minutes ago and came straight to here…what a pleasure hearing your filmmaker-eye commentary and all the insight you elaborated on. Awesome reaction…great movie.

Another great example of the desert being a character in the film is ‘Razorback’ an underrated Australian horror from 1984.

I recommend Kings of the Road and Wings of Desire by Wim Wenders who made this film. He was an icon in German new wave, roadtrip films, and documentaries. He also did a 5 hour science fiction travelogue film that is absolutely mesmerizing.

Also, if you haven't seen Coherence, that'd be an interesting approach to "location". Really worth watching

Wim F*cken Wenders. Discovered his films simultaneously with my philosophy major (with a strong focus on German philosophy) and my love of cinema. This and Wings of Desire are in my top 20 films. I also became a fan of Sam Shepard’s plays. Dude known mainly for his acting but also a brilliant playwright.

You should absolutely check out more of Wim Wenders films. He’s terrific! I’d recommend Wings of Desire and The American Friend

its a truly wonderful film which has stayed with me since i was a teenager, the acting, cinematography, soundtrack are all sublime, and i really appreciate your enthusiasm and appreciation of the film, you get it, not everyone does ,

The soundtrack from guitarist Ry Cooder is just beautiful. 👍

This is my favorite film; HDS utterly kills, but the music and photography, the entire cast, are stellar. Hits me hard.

A mesmerizing film set in Texas you'd probably like is Lonestar.

I love this film, from the cinematography to the acting and dialog and what a beautiful soundtrack.

Now Wings of Desire is a must watch! Same director and arguably his best film!!

Nice to see you reacting to such a beautiful movie. I wanted to suggest a couple of other movies from the filmmaker Sergei Parajanov that I think you'd really appreciate: The Color of Pomegranates and Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. These are gorgeous, poetic films that have very little in the way of plot, but are profoundly moving pieces of art.

Thank you, James! 🏜 I first heard about this one when it was fresh... but never got around to seeing it 'til about 15 years ago. #JamesVsCinema #WimWenders #ParisTexas

Shout out to James for watching some great cinema. Watched when I was young, didn't get it. 2nd time I connected with the love lost, reconnecting.

Love this movie. It was actually my pick in my first film class when the professor wanted students to find a film we loved that was "less mainstream." I remember watching this one with my dad and being entranced, so it was the one I picked to review for film class. Just love it - so much on framing shots and setting as character. Just love it - and THRILLED to see a reaction to it. Wonderful!

I knew it, I knew once you watched your reaction consider it must watch! Thanks James!

My friend’s favorite film of all time!! It’s SUCH a masterpiece in every way.

I love that you did this reaction. This is one of the most deeply moving films that has ever been made and, I would say, unparalleled in its narrative arc. A profound and devastating insight into the depths of human love and emotion. Thank you.

Awesome choice, the soundtrack is epic. Notice how the airport scene is almost shot for shot copied in the movie Rainman.

Yes! this film is absolutely incredible. An artistic achievement.

On the topic of setting, Travis (Stanton) literally walks out of a desert that is the metaphoric representation of his post marriage emotional wasteland. The images are so powerful because they are so deeply connected to the emotional landscape of the story. Likewise the setting of the one way mirror in the peep show where we see reflections of the two estranged lovers/spouses first apart, and then overlayed upon each other as they find their way to a kind of painful reconciliation. Just brilliant use of setting throughout. Such beautiful frames and pacing from Wim Wenders. Such wonderful acting from Stanton and whole cast. And least we forget, such a perfect soundtrack from Ry Cooder setting the mood and tone throughout. Just an amazing, tender and human story told so well.