Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, Quirky, Unique, Entertaining Film
Review: I loved this movie when it came out and I still do. At this point, it's almost a document of its time, when the punk/new wave explosion of the late 70's & early 80's had successfully filtered throghout the culture and people like David Byrne were given the respect they deserved and the result was films like True Stories. Using bizarre stories he'd read in supermarket tabloids as his base, Byrne took the kooks and special people he'd read about and placed them all in one small Texas town. A tribute to individualism and self-invention, True Stories also successfully evokes the weird, rootless, surrealism one encounters once you get outside the bounds of congested cities and finds oneself stuck out in the middle of nowheresville, USA. Featuring a great cast who all give wonderful performances, even if they sometimes don't seem to "get" what Byrne was doing, Stories also boasts an excellent Byrne composed score, which at the time of the films release could be purchased in two versions - one where the cast performed their own songs and another where Talking Heads performed them. True Stories also probably marks the demise of the band, Talking Heads. Though they went on to record a couple more records (three more? I can't really remember), after True Stories it seemed they were no longer so much a band as slaves to Byrne's vision. As a tribute to the band, one he was on his own, Byrne's work lost a certain humanity, I guess you could say, an urgency or immediacy and his work took on the air of just more "art product". I still like it, mind you, just not as much. Anyway, True Stories stands alongside the Head records, Lauries Anderson's output (including the film of her United States concert), the filmed monologue(s) of Spauling Gray (Swimming to Cambodia), certain music videos, and other key works as essential artifacts of the 80's. And one more thing - I swear to GOD that a few years ago I saw widescreen versions of this filmd on DVD at various retail outlets, a little more expensive than the pan & scan. Where the heck is this release?
Rating: 
Summary: The strangest (and the funniest) movie I've ever seen.
Review: David Byrne is funny in this movie. I was laughing so hard seeing Louis Fyne (John Goodman) singing a country song about needing someone to love. David Byrne says so many spontaneous things like "This isn't a rental car, it's privately owned." A must see movie.
Rating:
Summary: Oozes hipness
Review: After seeing this film, I plunged into a deep and unweilding crush on David Bryne. If you have a quirky sense of humor that appreciates the hilarity of American life, if you love weird musicals, if you like sassy and artistically sound critiques of consumer culture, if you're seeking an orgiastic blend of high and low art, "found" art and skillfully crafted music and direction, you should just drop the ten bucks and splurge. In today's neo-conservative atmosphere, I find myself praying for the quality of work these Regan-era hipsters made. Perhaps we will all watch this film and become inspired to do great things.
Rating:
Summary: Weird and Wonderful World of Virgil
Review: This is the most bizarre film I have ever seen. It shows exactly what it is like in a small town--the mall, the parade, the talent show and especially the people. It IS a very deep movie that is so true to life that only someone who takes life WAY to serious would not think it superb! The perfect thing to watch when nothing else sounds good.
Rating:
Summary: personal keystone
Review: as a writer and filmmaker, seeing this film for the first time when i was 13 changed everything for me. it was the first time i realized that a film could do more than just tell a story. beautifully shot and scored, with simply wonderful performances, this is a film that even now i never get tired of.minor carp: warner's dvd edition is rather shoddy. although the sound is excellent, the image is pan-and-scan and the video transfer itself seems to be nothing more than the original 80's transfer dumped on dvd. that's a shame. sadly it's the only option available at the moment. i'm still hoping for a criterion edition ...
Rating:
Summary: Genius!
Review: Brilliant in it's "simplicity". Incredibly entertaining storyline and excellent music. Lots of memorable lines and characters. A perfect example of how big bucks and big stars aren't always mandatory. David Byrne's laid back approach as our "guide" also adds to the dimensions of the other characters. A must for Talking Heads fans. Highly recommend!
Rating:
Summary: insanity in a can
Review: There is only one way to describe this movie- as the funniest movie I have ever seen in my life. For all of you out there that think the funniest movies you've ever seen are Austin Powers and Dumb and Dumber, take a step back. The sheer insanity and unpredicatability that make David Byrne wonderful in this movie count for much more than the slapstick humor you'll find in the script of any other movie out there. The more you watch True Stories, the more you'll see yourself in the charecters and understand the odd brand of logic that David Byrne is trying to impress upon the rest of the world. If I had a goal, it would be to show this movie (all right, and Yellow Submarine- if you like this one please check that out too) to the entire world, just to make them think. And laugh, and laugh, and laugh- but mostly at themselves.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Great!
Review: Purchasing True Stories was my next step in my David Byrne/Talking Heads fanaticism. I bought it for ... and after viewing it, I would've had no problem paying more. You don't have to be a Talking Heads fan to enjoy the movie ..., but you may become one after watching the film. The idea of inserting songs from the Talking Heads' album of the same name as this movie into different parts of the film, and having the actors sing them was a great idea. The "Wild Wild Life" scene is simply classic. John Goodman portrays the very likeable Louis Fyne - a person who is looking for a wife and from the start you're wanting Louis to get what he wants out of life. This movie about small town life in Texas is definitely worth viewing. True Stories is truly a hidden treasure.
Rating: 
Summary: 25 Word Or Less Review
Review: Plodding and deadly dull predecessor to other, vastly superior quirky films. David Byrne does add a sparkle, and the odd Talking Heads material helps somewhat.
Rating: 
Summary: Can't quite put my finger on it...
Review: I like this film a lot, heck--a whole lot. Too bad almost everyone I've shown it to politely said that it was "ok" or "interesting." It's one of the most bizarre films I've seen, but somehow manages to sum up what it's like living in a small American town. David Byrne wanders through Virgil, Texas meeting various odd characters, accompanied by the music of the Talking Heads. The off-the-wall commentary is perhaps the best part of the film; driving through the pancake-flat plains of Texas, Byrne comments, "The radio reception is great out here!" Or when he drives down and endlessly straight highway: "Fancy driving!" While I did like this film, I hesitate to recommend it. Rent it or borrow it first--see if you like it.
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