Accidental Texan tells the heartwarming story of a young man named Erwin as he forms unlikely bonds in the heart of Texas oil country.
Accidental Texan is sure to take many viewers by surprise. It is a story about friendship, father-son relationships, and ambition. This film is filled with heart and life lessons, however there are quite a few comedic moments as well.
After failing miserably at his first big acting job, Erwin (Rudy Pankow) must make the long trek back to Los Angeles. When his car breaks down in the middle of Texas, he stumbles upon a few locals that he forms an unbreakable bond with, while he puts his acting skills to work trying to help them out.
Thomas Haden Church plays Merle, an oil driller who is under the wire to find his next big successful oil well to escape bankruptcy, and he is a complete joy to watch in this role. Carrie-Anne Moss portrays Faye, an employee at the local diner. She is sassy and has a good heart, making it easy to connect with her.
Rudy Pankow is wonderful in the role of Rudy. He does a great job of bringing the vulnerability, as well as the self doubt. Audiences will surely connect with Erwin and root for him to find his way as the story goes on.
The three of them put their heads together to come up with a plan to save Merle’s drilling business, while also forming an unexpected friendship.
The biggest issue with Accidental Texan comes towards the end of the film. In the third act it goes a bit off the rails, with some truly unnecceary events occurring. While it is difficult to discuss without spoilers, there is a scene with a helicopter that pushes things too far, and takes the plot off the rails.
It comes during a moment where the characters of the film are already under the wire, and viewers will be on the edge of their seats. This scene is almost too ridiculous and too much, that some viewers will be completely taken out of the film. We understand why it is there, and that it is important to drive the story, and Merle’s determination, forward, however it just feels out of place.
That being said, the final moments of the movie do come together nicely in a predictable, but touching way.
Accidental Texan delivers powerful messages of friendship, familial relationships, and putting your neck on the line to help others. Though often predictable, it is inspiring and touching at times. There are some truly unexpected funny moments, mostly from dialogue delivered by the always lovely Thomas Haden Church.
Accidental Texan releases only in theaters on March 8th, 2024.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
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About Accidental Texan
Fresh-faced recent Harvard student Erwin (Rudy Pankow) flames out of his first professional acting job when he forgets to turn off his phone and triggers an explosive nightmare on set. His career and cell phone in tatters, he flees the New Orleans set, only to have his car break down deep in the heart of Texas oil country.
Seeking refuge and some possible phone service in a local diner, he meets Faye (Carrie-Anne Moss), a kind waitress who takes pity on him and offers up the local phone book to find a mechanic.
Without enough funds to fix his car, Erwin accepts an offer from Merle, a local oil driller (Thomas Haden Church) only to find out he too is nearly bankrupt and cannot pay his bills. With both men in desperate straits, Merle realizes their only hope may be Erwin’s acting skills and a little help from Faye’s shotgun.
ACCIDENTAL TEXAN will release only in theaters March 8th, 2024.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.