True Stories

"A Completely Cool, Multi-Purpose Movie."

1986 1h 29m EN

👍

6.7

SOLID

★6.7TMDB · 150

ComedyMusic

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A small but growing Texas town, filled with strange and musical characters, celebrates its sesquicentennial and converge on a local parade and talent show.

“A Completely Cool, Multi-Purpose Movie.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

David Byrne
Narrator / Lip-Syncher
John Goodman
Louis Fyne
Annie McEnroe
Kay Culver
Jo Harvey Allen
The Lying Woman
Spalding Gray
Earl Culver
Alix Elias
The Cute Woman
Roebuck 'Pops' Staples
Mr. Tucker
Tito Larriva
Ramon

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: David Byrne
Writers: Beth Henley, David Byrne, Stephen Tobolowsky
Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

89 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

40 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 3 languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by David Byrne, shot by Edward Lachman. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by David Byrne. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Caroline Biggerstaff shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

David Byrne and John Goodman and Annie McEnroe carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "A Completely Cool, Multi-Purpose Movie.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

David Byrne directs. Edward Lachman behind the camera. David Byrne scores. Caroline Biggerstaff cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English, Portuguese, Spanish.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

189 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
240 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Dialogue crosses 3 languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish.
4Directed by David Byrne, shot by Edward Lachman. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by David Byrne. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Caroline Biggerstaff shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7David Byrne and John Goodman and Annie McEnroe carry the top of the cast.
8Marketing tagline: "A Completely Cool, Multi-Purpose Movie.".
9IMDB entry: tt0092117 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.