“Accidental Texan” is one of those feel-good movies and we all require one of those every once in awhile. Erwin Vandemeer (Rudy Pankow) is an aspiring actor on his first substantial role filming in New Orleans but he destroys the opening scene and is promptly fired. His agent drops him. His acting career may be decimated. He heads to Texas and when his car breaks down he walks to the nearest town Buffalo Gap. It is a very small town. In a diner he meets Merle (Thomas Haden Church) a roughneck with a good heart perhaps even a broken one.
An overnight stay becomes a month long one. As Merle and Erwin look for an oil strike needed in thirty days or nasty bankers foreclose on Merle’s oil drilling company. Big capitalists out to destroy the little guy but the little guy is going to give them a good fight.
Thomas Haden Church is a Zorba the Greek character full of life and colourful with a drive to succeed. He certainly shines in this role and if at times the plot meanders a bit his performance is a delight to watch. What a great Texan character he brings to the screen. Is this because at one point in his life he lived in Dallas?
Carrie-Anne Moss also delivers a stellar performance as a waitress with eyes on Merle. Watching her and Thomas Haden Church is worth the price of admission.
Pankow is the perfect foil (as the British author was in Zorba) as the novice in life falling under the wing of Merle. He is a goody two shoes knowing little about life other than his failures he dwells on. He steals, forges, drinks all in good form and for a noble cause. And by the conclusion of the film he is a man.
Aside from Thomas Haden Church and Carrie-Anne Moss giving outstanding performances the movie is good fun however predictable it may be.
RKS 2024 Film Rating 76/100.
VOD/Digital release will be on 23April2024.
Set the Bar 