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    Beautiful Criminals

    Art returns to crime genre with Ain't Them Bodies Saints

    Alex Bentley
    Aug 23, 2013 | 8:00 am
    Art returns to crime genre with Ain't Them Bodies Saints
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    Film as a commercial medium, especially in the modern film world, can overshadow film as an art form. With big money and big stars comes big expectations, so there are times that filmmakers have to make compromises to their visions in order to make something that will appeal to a large number of people.

    It’s not often that an independent filmmaker like Dallas writer/director David Lowery can secure a starry cast and remain true to himself, but Ain’t Them Bodies Saints is one of those rare situations. It follows Bob and Ruth (Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara), two Texas outlaws separated when Bob takes the fall for their crime spree. It then becomes Bob’s sole mission to somehow make it back to Ruth, no matter what obstacle lies in his way.

    The film is one where not much seems to happen even though there’s a lot going on.

    That sounds like the plot to a crackerjack thriller, but Lowery is not interested in telling that kind of story. Taking inspiration from movies like Robert Altman’s McCabe & Mrs. Miller and Bonnie and Clyde, Saints contains the essence of those films but leaves the crime part almost completely out.

    Instead, the film, in Lowery’s words, luxuriates in the aftermath of the crime, seeing how the separation affects Bob, Ruth and others in town. That includes Skerritt (Keith Carradine), the father of an accomplice, and Patrick (Ben Foster), a policeman involved in a shootout with them who does a poor job at hiding his affection for Ruth.

    Consequently, the film is one where not much seems to happen even though there’s a lot going on. Lowery takes his time, teasing out the inevitable Bob and Ruth reunion for as long as possible. You come to understand that Lowery is more interested in setting an overall mood for the film — arty and somber — than delivering moments you normally expect in the crime/western genre.

    This type of filmmaking is not for everybody, and even those who proclaim to like it may find the goings to be a bit slow. But the benefit of it is that every main actor gets to showcase his or her skills. You may not understand why Lowery takes so damn long to get the point, but at least you can appreciate his wisdom in choosing the actors he did.

    The film is also one of the more beautiful ones you’re likely to see this year. Lowery and cinematographer Bradford Young have a knack for using light and shadows in such a way that they speak volumes for a particular scene, even when little is being said.

    So, yes, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints is more art than commerce, but by touching on the familiar themes of previous like-minded films, it still gives more than enough for the average movie-goer to enjoy.

    Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck play outlaw lovers in Ain't Them Bodies Saints.

    Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck in Ain't Them Bodies Saints
      
    Photo courtesy of IFC Films
    Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck play outlaw lovers in Ain't Them Bodies Saints.
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    This Week's Hot Headlines

    Dallas Steak and Ale opening gets derailed in this week's top stories

    CultureMap Staff
    May 24, 2025 | 10:00 am
    Steak and Ale
    Steak and Ale
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    Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Dallas news of the week, which includes a change in plans for Steak and Ale and major transportation updates. Plus, two closures, including one with rock star ties. Get the details on the most popular Dallas stories below, then check out this guide to Memorial Day weekend fun.

    1. Local opening of Dallas chain Steak and Ale gets derailed. The long-in-the-works return of Steak and Ale in Dallas is being shelved for now. The casual steakhouse chain, which in its heyday had nearly 300 locations, is no longer opening a location it planned for in Grand Prairie.

    2. Dallas farm-to-table champion Profound Farms closes produce operation. A Dallas farm-to-table champion is pulling the plug: Profound Microfarms, the small farm in Lucas that provided locally grown produce to chefs and the general public for nearly a decade, is shutting down its growing operation and discontinuing deliveries.

    Profound MicrofarmsProfound Microfarms is shutting down.Photo courtesy of Profound Microfarms

    3. Greyhound bus finds new location to replace downtown Dallas terminal. There's a new location for the Greyhound bus terminal, which had been in downtown Dallas for more than 85 years. Flix North America, the parent company of FlixBus and Greyhound, will be relocating service to a new intercity bus terminal in northwest Dallas in late September 2025.

    4. Dallas approves $14.5 million for Buckner DART station project. The Dallas City Council unanimously approved a $14.5 million incentive for the Palladium Buckner Station Project, a proposed mixed-income and transit-oriented development project at the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Buckner Light Rail Station at 8008 Elam Rd.

    5. Rock & Brews restaurant founded by KISS members closes in The Colony. A restaurant chain with rock star ties is closing. Rock & Brews, founded by KISS members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, will close its location in The Colony after nine years.

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