Several familiar actors appear initially, though many have limited roles as we meet Sheriff "Sam" (Chris Cooper). He’s the offspring of the recently departed Sheriff "Buddy" (Matthew McConaughey), and the grateful residents are preparing to dedicate a memorial to this respected man who was married to someone considered virtuous! The narrative unfolds through contemporary dialogue and recollections, revealing a puzzle concerning what happened to the former sheriff, "Wade" (Kris Kristofferson). Apparently, he was an intimidating and aggressive, dishonest official—until one evening he encountered a rising police officer ("Buddy") and left town with $10,000, after which he vanished. What prompted this resurfacing? The reason is that two soldiers from a nearby military base, slated for closure, unearthed a corpse in the desert, and some evidence indicates it could be the missing lawman. Despite cautions from those close to him and his own hesitation about uncovering what might be the truth regarding his idealized father, "Sam" begins an inquiry, which connects previously disregarded elements within the tight-knit community—or, at least, what people preferred to forget. Director John Sayles employs these individuals to highlight problems inherent in small-town life, and this feels particularly impactful given that the Texan town is close to the border where Mexican immigrants frequently cross. The plot itself isn't remarkably original; we’ve encountered similar murder stories before. However, it’s the relationships between the characters that elevate the film. It unfolds deliberately, which proves captivating. While his methodical approach to policing contributes to this, it also explores his personal discoveries about himself, his father, his companions and his girlfriend "Pilar" (Elizabeth Peña), as the town experiences a shift in power that some welcome while others reject. It’s not strictly a western, but rather a portrayal of how change—both positive and negative—impacts people, and it's likely Chris Cooper’s finest work.

Source on TMDB