A_Different_Drummer Review of Pure Country

Pure Country (1992)

One of a Kind Classic, Will Survive its Critics handily...

[8/10 · 24 November 2013]

Confession first. I am not a huge country fan (though I do have a collection of Roger Miller and Ernie Ford tunes) and George Strait was really not on my radar before this. Then I stumbled onto this film. The story about a star who wants to chuck it all and seek his/her roots appears corny on the surface, but, as the film professors have said, there are only a dozen or so real story-lines anyway, so some recycling is to be expected. And George Strait did not initially appear to be the most polished actor I had ever come across -- until I figured out that he was not trying to act, he was more or less playing himself, and, according to the IMDb database -- AN EXTRAORDINARILY RELIABLE SOURCE -- this is the first and last film he ever made. So I decided to give the film a chance ... and I was hooked. The film is subtle, engaging, and it draws you in. The story is universal. Strait is more than adequate for what turned out to be the role of a lifetime. The presence of Lesley Ann Warren is a bonus as this accomplished actress (who started out on the Mission Impossible TV series) can make changing a tire engrossing. And despite the scorn heaped by the critics, the album from the film was one of the most successful in Strait's career. Summary -- not on a par with the Godfather, bit a well-crafted and engaging one of a kind tale with a soundtrack to die for. Recommended.