Paris Trout (1991)

In a small Georgia town in the 1950s, bigoted store owner Paris Trout kills a young black girl when his brother refuses to pay his debts.

Director:

Stephen Gyllenhaal

Writers:

Peter Dexter (novel), Peter Dexter (screenplay)

Stars:

Dennis Hopper, Barbara Hershey, Ed Harris

Nominated for 5 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dennis Hopper	...	Paris Trout
Barbara Hershey	...	Hanna Trout
Ed Harris	...	Harry Seagraves
Ray McKinnon	...	Carl Bonner
Tina Lifford	...	Mary Sayers
Darnita Henry	...	Rosie Sayers
Eric Ware	...	Henry Ray Sayers
RonReaco Lee	...	Chester Sayers
Gary Bullock	...	Buster Devonne
Sharlene Ross	...	Mother Trout's Nurse
Jim Peck	...	Estes Singletary
Dan Biggers	...	Mayor Harn
Ernest Dixon	...	Truck Driver
Wallace Wilkinson	...	Dr. Brewer (as Wallace Wilkenson)
Ron Leggett	...	Glass Man (as Ronn Leggett)

Storyline

Paris Trout is a vile Southern bigot. He owns a store and is a loanshark. He often sues people, and so his lawyer, Harry Seagraves, eventually meets Paris' wife Hannah. A former schoolteacher, she made the mistake of her life when she married Paris, who brutalizes her. Soon Paris goes beyond the overgenerous bounds of what a man in his position can get away with even in the segregated South, leading to a spiral of perverse insanity.

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Plot Keywords:

store | lawyer | family relationships | voice over narration | paranoia | 

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Taglines:

A brutal murder in a small town. A triangle of passion, power and rage.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence and sensuality, and for brief language.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 April 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bütün Hayati Suçtu

Filming Locations:

Decatur, Georgia, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Palace Pictures, Viacom

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally intended for a theatrical release, the film made its premiere on Showtime in the spring of 1991. It did, however, see a theatrical release in some countries outside of North America such as France and Japan.

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Quotes

Mary Sayers: No sir. I told the truth about it. You can make it look any which way now. But I told how it happened.
Harry Seagraves: Yes, well, um. With all do respect, Ms. Sayers. That's what we called the jury for. To decide.
Mary Sayers: No sir. They don't decide what happened. That's already been done. All they decide is if they gonna do something about it.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Dennis Hopper/Rich Hall/Joan Embery (1991)

User Reviews

Paris Paranoia....

"Paris Trout" translates to the screen better than any work by John Grisham. The 1949 southern small town atmosphere is flawless, but it is the tremendous character development, lacking in Grisham's films, that drives "Paris Trout". Barbara Hershey as the suffering wife, and Ed Harris as the disillusioned lawyer are terrific. Dennis Hopper was born to play the evil character Paris Trout, and he delivers an "Oscar" worthy performance. Living in a fool's paradise, Paris makes his own rules, and attempts to control everyone else. This behavior leads to murder, and eventually insanity. A true product of his environment, Paris cannot deal with losing control. The consequences of his loss are both sad and fascinating. - MERK