Accidental Texan
| Accidental Texan | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Mark Lambert Bristol |
| Screenplay by | Julie B. Denny |
| Based on | Chocolate Lizards by Cole Thompson |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Matthew Wise |
| Edited by | James K. Crouch |
| Music by |
|
| Distributed by | Roadside Attractions |
Release dates |
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Running time | 104 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $292,687[1][2] |
Accidental Texan (formerly titled Chocolate Lizards) is a 2023 American comedy-drama film directed by Mark Lambert Bristol, and starring Thomas Haden Church, Rudy Pankow, Carrie-Anne Moss and Bruce Dern. The is based on the 1999 novel Chocolate Lizards by Cole Thompson.[3][4]
The film was released in the United States by Roadside Attractions on 8 March 2024.
Plot
[edit]Erwin, a recent Harvard graduate and aspiring actor, is dismissed from his first film role after disrupting a shoot. Leaving the set, he travels through Texas but becomes stranded when his car breaks down in an oil-producing region. Lacking funds for repairs, he accepts temporary work from a local driller, Merle. As he becomes involved in the operation, Erwin learns that the drilling project is failing. Merle persuades him to pose as an oil expert in an attempt to stabilize the business, leading Erwin to rely on his acting skills outside the film industry.[5]
Cast
[edit]- Thomas Haden Church as Merle[6]
- Rudy Pankow as Erwin Vandeveer[6]
- Carrie-Anne Moss as Faye[7]
- Bruce Dern as Scheermeyer[7]
- Brad Leland as Max Dugan
- Julio Cesar Cedillo as Sheriff Nall[7]
Production
[edit]Principal photography began in Austin, Texas on October 13, 2021,[7] and also took place that month in Bartlett, Texas.[8]
Release
[edit]The film premiered at the Dallas International Film Festival on April 29, 2023.[9][10]
In January 2024, it was announced that Roadside Attractions acquired North American distribution rights to the film.
Accidental Texan was released theatrically on March 8, 2024.[11][12]
Reception
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 50% of 24 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.3/10.[13]
Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 51 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[14]
Joe Leydon of Variety wrote: "The next time you hear someone complain that they sure don't make them like they used to, point them in the direction of Accidental Texan, an unapologetically old-fashioned feel-good dramedy that, with a few minor tweaks, could pass as a newly rediscovered family-friendly feature from the mid-1970s".[15]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Accidental Texan". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ↑ "Accidental Texan (2024) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ↑ Grobar, Matt (October 27, 2021). "'Chocolate Lizards': Rudy Pankow Joins Carrie-Anne Moss, Thomas Haden Church, Bruce Dern & More In Indie Dramedy". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
- ↑ Kay, Jeremy (February 27, 2023). "Taylor & Dodge boards sales on 'Chocolate Lizards' starring Thomas Haden Church, Rudy Pankow, Carrie-Anne Moss (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ↑ "Roadside Attractions Buys Thomas Haden Church, Rudy Pankow Comedy 'Accidental Texan' (EXCLUSIVE)". February 18, 2024.
- 1 2 Watts, Elena Anita (November 11, 2021). "Movie role in Bluebonnet Youth Ranch auction goes to Karnes City resident". The Victoria Advocate. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
- 1 2 3 4 "Production Begins in Austin, Texas on Chocolate Lizards". Cision. October 15, 2021. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
- ↑ Jaklewicz, Greg (October 23, 2021). "Twenty years in the making: Abilenian's novel 'Chocolate Lizards' finally becoming a movie". Abilene News-Reporter. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ↑ Cummings, Tommy (April 11, 2013). "Premieres dot Dallas International Film Festival's schedule". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
- ↑ Gray, Kevin (April 11, 2023). "5 Things to Know About the 2023 Dallas International Film Festival". Thrillist. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
- ↑ Lang, Brent (January 24, 2024). "Roadside Attractions Buys Thomas Haden Church, Rudy Pankow Comedy Accidental Texan (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ↑ "Accidental Texan". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ↑ "Accidental Texan". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ↑ "Accidental Texan". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ↑ Leydon, Joe (March 8, 2024). "Accidental Texan Review: Amiably Old-Fashioned Dramedy Showcases Appealing Performance by Thomas Haden Church". Variety. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
