Paris, Texas: Wim Wenders’ wonderful and ponderous film tells the story of a man who, after disappearing for four years, is found by his brother and must reconnect with his family, society, and his past. It is a film of long silences and intense listening, of one-sided dialogues; it is a bit challenging but emotionally rewarding. Harry Dean Stanton plays the protagonist, a lost man in more ways than one, who finds the quiet resolve to set things right, in a quietly powerful performance. Dean Stockwell, as his brother, is fine. Nastassja Kinski, as his former wife, is stunning and gives a touching performance. Cinematographer Robby Müller’s work is exceptional, with great colours; the staging and shooting of a pair of crucial late scenes is a masterclass in lighting, framing, and making good use of the art direction (by Kate Altman). The musical score, consisting mostly of Ry Cooder’s deceptively simple guitar songs, has a melancholy that offers the ideal backdrop to the action.