Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Quirky David Byrne-helmed musical is aimed at adults.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
True Stories
What's the Story?
Talking Heads frontman David Byrne wrote, directed, and stars in TRUE STORIES, a quirky and charming look at small-town life in the fictional Virgil, Texas, as the community gears up for its Celebration of Special-ness event. The loosely connected vignettes introduce a series of unusual characters, including Louis (John Goodman), a single man seeking a wife, and Swoosie Kurtz, whose character never leaves her bed. All of this is punctuated by catchy musical numbers, many featuring Talking Heads tunes.
Is It Any Good?
True Stories, much like its star Byrne, very much has its own sensibility. Byrne, who serves as narrator and guide to the residents of Virgil, clearly adores these characters, and though they each have their own unique mannerisms, they are also much like all of us. It's easy to find reasons to identify with all of them.
But don't look too hard here -- there's not a whole lot of story and there's not a whole lot of action. Really, this is a sweet look at not-very real people, who serve as a canvas for the rest of us to get a good luck at what makes any of us into who we are. There's an artist at work here, Byrne, who has a definite vision of what he's trying to make. Some people might not get it, and some might not appreciate it. But those who do will find something real in these true stories.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the residents of Virgil, Texas. Do you think they are special? What makes them much the same as the rest of us, and what sets them apart?
Find out more about David Byrne and The Talking Heads. What are their most famous songs? What else are they known for?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 30, 1999
- Cast : David Byrne , John Goodman , Swoosie Kurtz
- Director : David Byrne
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Musical
- Topics : Arts ( Concert , Dance , Music and Sing-Along ) , Activism ( Civic engagement , Racial justice ) , Family Stories , Friendship , History , Holidays , Travel
- Run time : 99 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate