True West (31 Jan. 1984)

A videotaped stage performance of Sam Shepard's play

Director:

Allan A. Goldstein

Writer:

Sam Shepard

Stars:

John Malkovich, Sam Schacht, Gary Sinise

Cast

Episode credited cast:
John Malkovich	...	Lee
Sam Schacht	...	Saul
Gary Sinise	...	Austin
Margaret Thomson	...	Mom

Storyline

Austin, a Hollywood screenwriter living comfortably in suburban Arizona, is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of his prodigal brother Lee, whose menacing demeanor and pugilistic attitude draws Austin further and further into conflict until he must finally engage his brother in an intense psychological battle for his ideals, and perhaps even his life.

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Plot Keywords:

screenwriter | satire | brother brother relationship | claustrophobia | estrangement | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 January 1984 (USA)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The teleplay was produced for Broadway and opened at the Circle in the Square Theater in New York on March 2, 2000, ran for 154 performances and Sam Shepard's script was nominated for the 2000 Tony Award for the Best Play.

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Quotes

Lee: Do you think... there is enough... Goddamn gas... in your car?
Austin: Sure!
[He falls backward into the sink]

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Connections

Version of True West (2002)

User Reviews

Engrossing and Hilarious

More a filmed play than a movie, as you watch this you feel as if you're really up at 2 am on a cool summer night with crickets out the window. Watching it reminded me how over-produced movies are with incidental music and camera changes every 5 seconds.

There are scenes in this movie that caused me to laugh harder than I can ever remember laughing before. Great plot, besides.

A must-see.