Stars & Bars

In looking back at forgotten Harry Dean Stanton gems, I thought it would be a appropriate to post about the very quirky 1988 comedy Stars & Bars.

Daniel Day Lewis, in a rare comic performance stars as a British art dealer who travels from New York to the deep south to acquire a rare Renoir painting from an eccentric billionaire, Stanton. The billionaire has no issues with selling it to him, but his odd family and other crazy characters stop at nothing to make sure Lewis doesn't get the one of a kind work back to his art house.

This is basically a fish out of water tale, but it's a lot of fun. It really makes me wish Lewis would have done more comedies. He is quite gifted when it comes to physical humor. Stanton is great as always, and the film boasts an impressive supporting cast that includes Martha Plimpton, Joan Cusack, Stephen Wright, Spalding Gray, Keith David, Glenne Headley, Laurie Metcalf, and a really funny Maury Chaykin.

Stars & Bars is a hip and funny flick. Unfortunately it's not available on dvd or blu ray.