Parents' Guide to

Lone Star

By Will Wade, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Appealing con man tries to go straight in soapy drama.

TV Fox Drama 2010
Lone Star Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 15+

Based on 1 parent review

Ken R.
Ken R. Adult
November 12, 2020
age 15+

Lone Star – Who Did What To Whom?

John Sayles movie is best suited to people with good memories for names. Over the longish course of its 2hrs + run time it moves back and forth through two lifetimes (very smoothly done) as a Texan Sheriff attempts to ascertain if his father may have killed his corrupt lawman boss. The rather pensive script is quite good --a bit more accessible than some of Sayles other works-- give him credit where due, many other directors might have sensationalized various aspects of this tale but Mr Sayles has kept it in perspective and available to a broader audience. It features good performances from an interesting cast, classy location cinematography, and some enjoyable Tex/Mex songs, and should please patient viewers with mature tastes.
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What's the Story?

Bob Allen (James Wolk) has a problem. He's a talented con man -- shady Texas oil-well leases are his specialty -- but after years of bilking town after town and then moving on, he wants to go straight and settle down. His dad (David Keith), who raised him to be a grifter, has no interest in quitting, especially when they're preparing to land their biggest mark ever: Clint Thatcher (Jon Voight), who runs one of the biggest oil companies in the LONE STAR state. They've been working this con for so long that Bob even married Clint's daughter, Cat (Adrianne Palicki). And there's another problem: Bob still has ties to the last town they ripped off -- a girlfriend (Eloise Mumford) with whom he lives half the time and a growing sense of guilt that he's stolen the life savings of her family and neighbors. All of these lies could unravel in a second, but Bob has a plan…

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

Con stories must fool both the audience and the target. Get viewers interested, but don't show them enough to see how it all goes down. Lone Star gets that much right. From the start, we're curious how Bob pulls off his double life. But scam tales also must make you root for the grifters, and Lone Star gets that half-right. Clint is so crusty -- and so rich -- that nobody will cry if he loses some of his fortune. But Bob's girlfriend, Lindsay ... that's different. She and her family are all likeable, decent folk, and losing their savings will ruin them. We don't want to see them get hurt, and neither does Bob.

Here the show veers into new territory. Can Bob bilk Clint's company and fix the damage he's caused to Lindsay and her town? It's an intriguing idea and will be plenty of fun to see develop. Keith and Voight stand out in their supporting roles, but the weight of the show falls on Wolk. In con-man-mode, he's charming and smooth; it's easy to see how people fall for him. But in his regular life -- both of them -- he has less depth. He seems to have just one emotional setting: cheerful. But Bob is in over his head, and a winning grin may not be enough to help.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what makes someone a "good guy" or a "bad guy." Are viewers supposed to root for Bob? Does it matter that he's a crook? Can you think of other movies and TV shows where the heroes and the villains aren't really all that different?

  • What do you think the show is saying about love and relationships?

  • Do you find Bob's cons believable? Do you think you could be fooled?

TV Details

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