John Sayles' modern version of the western is rich in complex characters and thematic conflicts. Lone Star contains a textured plot layered with subplots that bolster, rather than encumber, the Dramatica grand argument woven throughout this languidly paced, critically acclaimed, film.

Sheriff Charlie "acted the kingfish with everybody" Wade's skeleton is discovered (story driver-action) on the outskirts of a Texas border town ("a lively mix of . . . Mexican . . . Anglo . . . Black . . . Kickapoo"). The objective story goal is thus established--an honest and accurate recollection (memory) of what really happened the night Charlie Wade vanished, forty years ago. Sam Deeds (main character) is the son (mc thematic counterpoint-situation) of Buddy Deeds. Buddy was described as "a cool breeze" who supposedly drove Charlie Wade out and then ruled the town with his own kind of benevolent justice. Barely visible behind Buddy's larger than life shadow: "I know you had problems with your father" (mc problem-inequity), Sam has recently returned to Frontera as the new sheriff in town-put into power by local politicos armed with their own agenda.

A substory involving Otis "Big O" Payne, a black nightclub owner and his estranged son, an Army officer (recently assigned to the Frontera post) and his son, reinforces the thematic conflict of Buddy and Sam's relations (circumstances vs. situation). These objective characters, among a number of others, are developed in their own right while participating at pivotal moments in the case of Who shot Charlie Wade?

Sam is suspicious (os catalyst) of the popular version of Wade's disappearance (os thematic issue-falsehood; os symptom-speculation). He is particularly frustrated in his attempts to conceptualize (mc concern) the chain of events (mc mental sex-male) as they really occurred (os thematic counterpoint-truth). As a be-er, his approach is to put himself next to the people and places of the time. During the course of the investigation, Sam reconnects (relationship story thematic counterpoint-fate) with Pilar (influence character), the love of his life.

Pilar, a widow with two rapidly developing teen children (ic problem-change), is a teacher (ic benchmark-learning) in town. A heated school board meeting about which interpretation (ic thematic issue) of regional history Pilar relays to students points up the rigid biases (os domain-mind) of the townspeople: "It's tearing everything down. Tearing down our heritage, tearing down the memory (os concern) of people who fought and died for this land . . ." Pilar attempts to make them understand (ic concern): "I've only been trying to get across part of the complexity of our situation down here. Cultures coming together in both negative and positive ways."

Flashbacks depict Sam and Pilar's star-crossed romance (rs concern-past). For reasons known only to Sam's father and Pilar's mother, Mercedes Cruz (rs inhibitor-evidence), they are forbidden (rs problem-inequity) to court. Parental interference (rs catalyst-interdiction) only heightens the feelings (rs symptom-desire) they share. Buddy and Mercedes keep them apart until present (rs benchmark) day: "We haven't talked since high school."

As Sam uncovers each falsehood (os thematic issue), scenarios for the night in question become more limited (optionlock). He asks Hollis, his father's deputy:

The real truth is Hollis shot the sheriff with Otis and Buddy as witnesses. "People liked the story we told, better than anything the truth (os thematic counterpoint) might have been. It's your call Sam."

Loose ends tied up in the objective story, a mystery pertinent to Sam's main character throughline is solved. Buddy and Mercedes had had a love affair of their own resulting in Pilar (rs domain-universe), which is why his father had been adamantly opposed to Sam and Pilar's relationship.

No longer defined by his father (mc resolve-change), Sam replies: "If I met you for the first time today, I'd still want to be with you" (judgment-good).

And the music plays on: "My love is a deep blue sea. So deep, so deep that I'll never be free" (rs thematic issue-destiny).