Los Lonely Boys: Cottonfields and Crossroads (2006) User Reviews

A Texican Documentary!

[d222544 · 10/10 · 9 August 2006]

This film debuted at South By Southwest in Austin, Texas in 2006. Los Lonely Boys were present for the debut, and for the five song show that immediately followed it.

Why record that information? Because it is important that Los Lonely Boys be properly placed as Texican musicians as the subject of this documentary, which focuses on them as young men backing up their father and then splitting off to become the band we know and love today.

The movie presents biographical data and some heart-wrenching scenes, as well as some others that will make you laugh in delight, as you see the inside of the circumstances immediately prior to Los Lonely Boys' meteoric ride up the charts with their Grammy winning song "Heaven".

You'll get a chance to see that all has not been heaven-on-earth for these men, or their families, and you will also be treated to an opportunity to see why their success is so much sweeter when placed in the context of being Hispanic in a small Texas town that not too many years ago provided almost no success opportunities for men like los hermanos Garza.

That is not an attack on the way things were, or are, but the film lets you see something that most of us really can't see clearly. And, of course, the human dimension is not really visible when watching the "Texican Style" or upcoming "Live at the Fillmore" dvds. And that makes this film very valuable as a part of the tale of LLB that starts (more or less) with the cassette "Uno Demo" through to the July, 2006 release of "Sacred" and on into the future hits that the boys have yet to provide us all.

Fans of the music will find an extra dimension here, as they meet the men behind the instruments and see them for what they are today - three very young family men who have walked a hard road and been rewarded with well deserved success.

I am not a cinematographer or other professional, but I believe that you will find the technical quality of this film top rate, and it shows respect, admiration and love for LLB at every turn. I am an ardent Los Lonely Boys fan, however. I recommend that you: see the movie, buy the DVD, and enjoy it over and over.

Dull and overrated: both the band and the movie

[bburns · 6/10 · 15 August 2006]

In Austin, anytime a local artist's music gets played outside of Texas, it's greeted as the Second Coming of Stevie Ray Vaughan, whether it be folk singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin, teenybopper punks The All-American Rejects, or the god-awful pop-metal band Blue October. The most recent Central Texas band to get this accolade is San Angelo's Los Lonely Boys. The thing is, though, that SRV was a better singer, musician and showman than the Boys, and his songwriting partner Doyle Bramhall wrote better lyrics than the Garzas do. Guitarist Henry Garza plays like a poor man's Carlos Santana, the brothers harmonize like a poor man's Beatles, and their typical sound is like a poor man's Widespread Panic.

So with these reservations in mind, I went to see "Los Lonely Boys: Cottonfields and Crossroads", based on the glowing reviews and word of mouth the film got at this year's SXSW film fest. For a few fleeting moments, the movie was almost interesting, but never for long.

My main complaint about the film is that is basically a 90-minute press kit for the band. You don't see their darker side at all (two of them have been arrested for assaulting women and smoking dope), which makes it far less compelling than a typical episode of VH1's "Behind the Music". Also I didn't like that it was shot on video tape (not even high-definition, mind you) at a 1.33:1 aspect ratio.

Which is not to say that it's all bad. Most of the film was shot in 2003, when the band was still living in the barrio and traveling around in a beat-up Dodge van. And it was interesting to hear how their Dad formed the band and came up with the name, but eventually got kicked out of the group.

But if you're looking for Texas's finest blues-rock trio, check out ZZ Top. If you want to hear the best Mexican-American rock ever made, listen to Santana's first two albums. And if you want to see the best doc about the Austin music scene, see "The Devil and Daniel Johnston". But do not expect great things from Los Lonely Boys or this movie. 6 out of 10.

Very heartwarming and inspirational

[kellam3 · 10/10 · 10 August 2006]

It proved what a dream, perseverance and dedication can achieve. They are an inspiration to others that no matter what the obstacles or road blocks, if you persist and dedicate yourself to making your dream come true, you WILL succeed. I enjoyed the family's openness to sharing their hard times and their hopes for success for the 'boys', as well as the family closeness. That truly depicts Hispanic families. I also enjoyed seeing 'old' San Angelo, as I am a native of the city. I, too, see lots of success for these brothers and wish them the very BEST!

Kudos to Mr. Galan.

Mary Ann (Tijerina) Kellam

Interesting movie!

[lisadherrera908 · 10/10 · 7 February 2007]

Before watching the film, I admired Los Lonely Boys and enjoyed their music. Now that I have seen it, I can appreciate the band and their music so much more. I understand the story of their success and loved the way the film captured it. Seeing where they came from and listening to their family speak of them was very interesting. I enjoyed learning a bit of history from their hometown and can relate to their fanatics. I can honestly say that I laughed, cried (a lot!),and even sang (quietly!)during this movie!

It's the type of movie you can watch over and over again, and I will certainly do that!