Lone Star is a 1996 crime mystery film directed by John Sayles. The film's story takes place in a fictional small Texas border town called Frontera, where Sheriff Sam Deeds (played by Chris Cooper) finds the skeletal remains of his predecessor Charlie Wade (Kris Kristofferson), who was a corrupt lawman. The discovery of Charlie's bones causes the reopening of the case of his murder, which happened around fifteen years ago. Sam's father, Buddy Deeds (Matthew McConaughey), who was also a sheriff, had initially closed the case without any charges. Sam, who had left the town years ago to escape from his father's shadow, starts to investigate the case and uncovers many secrets that have remained buried for a long time.
As Sam digs deeper into the investigation, he learns that Charlie was a notorious figure in the town, who ruled over the Mexican population with an iron fist. He also had a relationship with Sam's high school sweetheart, Pilar (Elizabeth Peña), who is now married to a schoolteacher, Arnie Bowen (Stephen Mendillo). Sam's exploration of Charlie's past causes tensions to rise in the town, as many people don't want the truth to be exposed. Meanwhile, Sam also has to deal with his problematic relationship with his estranged wife, Mercedes Cruz (Miriam Colon), who is running for the position of county judge in the upcoming elections.
Throughout the film, Sayles explores various issues that are prevalent in small-town America, such as racism, corruption, family ties, and the changing face of society. The film features an ensemble cast of accomplished actors, including Chris Cooper, Kris Kristofferson, Elizabeth Peña, Matthew McConaughey, Miriam Colon, and Joe Morton, among others. Lone Star was praised for its thought-provoking storytelling, nuanced characterization, and visual beauty, and was hailed as one of the best films of the year.