Reviewed by Colin Jacobson (August 21, 2024)
Based on its title, one might expect 1995’s The Stars Fell On Henrietta to offer a teen coming of age tale. Instead, we get a story about attempts to prosper during the Great Depression.
Set in Texas circa 1935, “oil wildcatter” Mr. Cox (Robert Duvall) seeks wealth but usually ends up broke. Nonetheless, he maintains persistent optimism that fortune will emerge from the ground eventually.
When Mr. Cox comes to the town of Henrietta, he feels convinced black gold resides under the failing cotton farm owned by Don Day (Aidan Quinn). Now Mr. Cox just needs to convince Don to believe him.
With Stars, we get a film that walks a fine line. Parts of it want to lean toward gritty drama, but it also plays as a fable much of the time.
That feels like a combustible combination, one that could turn sour easily. Happily, despite some inconsistencies related to the narrative, Stars usually stays on the right side of that line.
Really, my biggest issue stems from the somewhat spotty nature of the storytelling. Characters shift and events happen without a lot of obvious motivation at times.
Still, Stars manages to overcome these concerns, mainly because it plays without too much melodrama. Granted, some scenes lean that way, and the movie leans toward scenes that could become overwrought.
Stars avoids those pitfalls for the most part, and it also doesn’t lay its more fantastic elements out in a manner that makes them too cloying. As noted, much of the film veers into fable territory, and that side of the film could easily turn nauseating.
In particular, Mr. Cox himself presents a dodgy character. Does he really believe in what he claims or does he exist as a con man out to take advantage of others?
The film emphasizes the former category, but it leaves the role open into the other consideration as well. Along the way Mr. Cox engages in questionable behavior to support his pursuits.
Duvall manages to show us the dreamer in Mr. Cox, but he doesn’t sugarcoat the part. These choices mean that while we inherently root for Mr. Cox, we don’t completely trust him, and that suits the story.
The flick enjoys a solid cast in addition to Duvall. We find folks like Billy Bob Thornton, Frances Fisher, Brian Dennehy, and Dylan Baker, all of whom add credibility to the project.
Stars does sputter in its finale, unfortunately. As it propels toward its ending, it ties up matters in a manner that feels both trite and simplistic, especially since it avoids ramifications related to complications we saw along the way.
Still, Stars does more right than wrong. While not a wholly satisfying dramatic fable, it becomes an entertaining ride.
