True Stories

In the fictional Texas town of Virgil musician David Bryne arrives to make a documentary about the inhabitants. He meets a raft of characters at the same time as the town's `celebration of specialness'.

What is it? A documentary? A comedy? A rock film? It's not clear. However despite the unclear genre it still manages to be good – even if it's an unique film in terms of style. The comedy comes from both Bryne's and our bemused observation of the slightly kooky nature of small town life.

Bryne is a great narrator. He has a bemused quizzical air the whole time and many of his `to camera' lines are very funny if a little surreal. The characters themselves are almost worthy of Altman in terms of how quirky yet believable they are. Goodman is the best as the lonely ladies man looking for love. But other characters such as the lying lady (Allen) and the eccentric owner of the town (Spalding Gray).

If you don't like the music of David Bryne and the Talking Heads then you may dislike this as much of the second as it becomes mainly music and less Bryne. However it still manages to be funny. Overall this is much better than expected and fans of Bryne will simply love it.