Critic pans acclaimed indie film "Paris, Texas"

Writer says the acclaimed road movie leaves viewers feeling "absolutely nothing"

Mar. 11, 2026 at 4:00pm

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A critic writes a scathing review of the 1984 film "Paris, Texas", which is widely considered a masterpiece by critics and audiences. The writer argues the film's main character doesn't change or resolve any problems, leaving the viewer unsatisfied after the two-hour runtime. Despite the film's 95% Rotten Tomatoes score and Palme d'Or win at Cannes, the critic calls it "two hours of my life I'll never get back".

Why it matters

"Paris, Texas" is regarded as one of the greatest road movies of all time, with critics and fans praising its beauty, depth and meditative nature. This review challenges that consensus, providing a contrarian perspective that questions the film's narrative structure and character development.

The details

The critic argues that the main character, Travis, does not undergo any meaningful change or resolution to his problems over the course of the film. Travis reappears after a 4-year absence, reconnects with his young son Hunter, and sets out to find his estranged wife Jane, but the critic says there is no redemption or growth for the character. The critic also takes issue with the film's pacing, describing long stretches of "hazy journey" followed by a climactic 15-minute phone booth scene that "you won't believe".

  • Travis appears out of nowhere and is found by his brother Walt.
  • Travis is brought to Los Angeles, where his son Hunter, who Walt and his wife Anne have been raising, lives.
  • Travis gradually emerges from his stupor and begins to communicate with his son.

The players

Travis

The main character who reappears after a 4-year absence and sets out to reconnect with his son and estranged wife.

Walt

Travis' brother who finds him and brings him to Los Angeles.

Hunter

Travis' young son who has been raised by Walt and his wife Anne during Travis' absence.

Jane

Travis' estranged wife whom he sets out to find.

Wim Wenders

The director of "Paris, Texas" who the critic says filmed the movie for himself and was afraid to fully reveal the story to the viewer.

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What they’re saying

“To me, Wenders' film seems like a story afraid to be told to the end. It's a story where the main character doesn't change, problems aren't resolved, and the two-hour wait for the denouement ends in a whimper.”

— The critic

“Every narrative is a journey – a character sets out, overcomes crises, and returns a changed person. This structure is completely absent from Paris, Texas.”

— The critic

The takeaway

This review challenges the critical consensus around "Paris, Texas", arguing the acclaimed indie film fails to deliver a satisfying narrative arc or character development, leaving the viewer feeling unsatisfied despite the film's technical and artistic merits.