Don't Come Knocking

I love Wim Wenders.

In Don't Come Knocking, Sam Shepard and Wenders renew their partnership that they started (?) with Paris, Texas. Part of this movie is very grounded and realistic in that it is the story of a washed up cowboy actor who has lived hard and is now watching his regrets and mistakes pile up. The other part is pure Wenders patchwork genius. I call it this because he takes images, ideas and moments of popular culture and eras and non-sequitur thrills and pieces them together like a quilt (e.g.: He takes a modern-day cowboy actor but has him stuck in the 60's era of Old West films making golden-lit, horse rearing silhouettes against the sunset kind of movies...and on the set, the Assistant Director hilariously rides a Segway around.)

There isn't anything too complicated going on here, and the characters have some flaws and uncomfortable scenes, but the story is good and the sets/locals are great. This is Sam Shepard's finest moment (that I have seen) and the direction is gorgeous. (Worth mentioning are also Tim Roth and Jessica Lange's performances.) Wenders' signature long, circling shots are present as is Great Music. I'll keep my eye out for the soundtrack.