As one of the most acclaimed authors of the 20th century, Larry McMurtry had a gift for capturing life in the midwest. While best known for his western "Lonesome Dove," he has done more contemporary stories, though they might as well be set in the old west. "The Last Picture Show" takes place in Thalia, which is a town that is on the verge of becoming a ghost town and those who stay behind may waste away into obscurity. The story follows a group of teenagers who not only try to make the most of their small community, but it's also one about trying to get out and enjoy the best of life. It's full of humor and intimacy, capturing youth in all its acne-scarred glory. While it may be a bit meandering and lacking when compared to the Peter Bogdanovich film, it still manages to capture small-town life in a way that's unique and powerful at its best moments.
