The New York Times reports that Wong Kar-Wai’s “My Blueberry Nights” features songs by “American institutions,” Otis Redding, Ruth Brown and Ry Cooder (who composed the all-time venerable score to “Paris, Texas”). A.O. Scott gives the film a positive, but tempered review and reminds Cannes critics to abate their knee-jerk reactions.
Their weekend movie round-up also makes note of the country-rock soundtrack in the upcoming Wilson brothers film, “The Wendell Baker Story,” which features songs by Willie Nelson and Lyle Lovett. We want to discuss this film at length, but the protracted version is this: Luke Wilson wrote and co-directed this pet project with his eldest brother Andrew Wilson (who plays the memorable “Futureman” in Wes Anderson’s “Bottle Rocket”); their middle Wilson brother, Owen also stars in the film that carries a ’70s bent and an estimable cast that includes aged film patriarchs, Harry Dean Stanton, Kris Kristofferson and Seymour Cassel (who’s appeared in 3 of 4 Wes Anderson films). The film also includes an uncredited appearance by Will Ferrell. The Times review is positive, but others are lukewarm – a cautionary sign: the film was completed in 2005, but is just getting distribution now.
