'The Last Picture Show', 1971

I finally got my act together and sat down to watch a film that has been recommended to me for years, Peter Bogdanovich's, 'The Last Picture Show', 1971. With my continuing fascination erring on obsession with 1950's Americana, this film was perfect in depicting life in small-town America, post world war. 'The Last Picture Show' is a simple 'coming of age tale of teenagers in West Texas. Visually it was incredibly bleak, with baron landscapes and tumble-down shop fronts. The 'old boys' looked worn, the women, faded beauties, characters effected by their monotonous exisistance in this deadbeat town. 

The kids however, had an essence of change, it was the birth of the teenager. 

The clothing was a crucial element in this transition. As well as being technically very accurate in clothing choice, the fashion was awe-worthy. The main characters Sonny Crawford, (Timothy Bottoms) and Duane Jackson (Jeff bridges) oozed an effortless cool, with a fantastic wardrobe of themed shirts and Varsity jackets. The girls, in particular, Jacy Farrow (Cybill Shepherd), sported bullet bras and girdles, masked by pencil skirts, their boyfriends letterman cardigans and black and white saddle shoes. Youths were finally showing individualism, no longer mimicking their parents, they were rebelling. 

The acting performances were subtle, the writing was integral. It wonderfully captured the 'birth of the teenager' and the difficult transition it was to make. Much like 'A Catcher in the Rye' it's a perfect film to watch when you are in that period of your life but equally as enjoyable if you want to reminisce.