Post F.I.T. Part 1: The Last Picture Show (1971)

My job at Film is Truth single handily saved my interest in film. A hobby of mine that had been lacking for the better part of the last two years was resurrected in the 6 months I spent with the Truth, and I sure am grateful for it. Looking at my last post, which was from when I first started working there, its pretty awesome how much I see that I've learned, and how much my filmic horizons have been broadened. So I present to you, Part 1 of Taylor's Favorite Films of the Post-Film is Truth Era.

The Last Picture Show (1971)
Dir. Peter Boganovich
Star. Jeff Bridges, Timothy Bottoms, Cybil Shepard, Randy Quaid

Taking the cake for "Most Relevant Film I Could Have Possibly Watched at This Point in My Life," Peter Bogdanovich's film about small town life, is just one of those that had me engrossed an enamored by every single minuet detail. The bond these friends have, their comings and goings, uncertainties and heartbreaks of post-high school / college life , the risk and adventures they take, and just the ulimate realization of the monotony of everyday life, are all things I can relate to tenfold at this point in my own transitional existence. The Last Picture Show is the penultimate precursor to the American Graffiti's, Dazed and Confused's and Kicking and Screaming's that have followed it, and while I love all those films for their visions on the topic, the old soul in me appreciates and latches onto the values, and the wholehearted honesty presented in Bogdanovich's film more then anything. The beautifully nuanced black and white cinematography, and incredible performances by Jeff Bridges, the smokin' hot Cybil Shepard, and my personal favorite, Timothy Bottoms, cap off what is a film I know I'll revisit in the future and will help the sentimentalist in me conjure up all sorts of awesome and painful memories.