King of Texas: A Texan Take on Shakespeare

Now, folks, if you’ve ever wondered what would happen if you tossed a bit of Shakespeare into a Wild West blender, then “King of Texas” is gonna be your cup of cowboy coffee. I’m not going to lie, I was like a deer in headlights when I heard about a Western version of “King Lear,” but you know, sometimes the wildest ideas are the ones that stick with you. Directed by the gutsy Uli Edel—ja, samma man bakom “Christiane F.”—this film blends a classic with cowpoke charm in a way that honestly… sometimes works.

Let’s talk talent. The ever-dignified Patrick Stewart takes the lead role, and let me tell you, watching Captain Picard swap his starry abode for a horse is worth every bit of your attention. His portrayal of John Lear, parallel to Shakespeare’s exhausted king, is both haunting and somehow refreshingly gritty. You know, I remember my own cousin Erik—half Texan, half Swedish, with his cowboy boots and love for Strindberg—telling me tales of oil-rich lands and family rivalries, and this movie transported me right back to those stories.

But here’s the rub. As much as I was charmed by the rough landscapes and grandiose drama, sometimes the dialogue felt as tangled as a Swede trying to order Texas BBQ in Småland. I mean, the language doesn’t always hit the right note, and there were moments where even Stewart seemed to struggle with lines heavier than a vat of lingonberry jam.

The supporting cast didn’t quite shine as much as I’d wished. Marcia Gay Harden and Lauren Holly are in there, and while they gave it their all, sometimes it felt like watching an international soccer team trying to play hockey—passable, sure, but a little out of place.

In the end, pals, if you’re into Westerns with a Shakespearean twist, then “King of Texas” is your ride. Maybe it’s not a masterpiece, but it’s that quirky piece of film där två världar möts, right in the dusty sun of Texas. Giddy up, grab a kanelbulle, and see how the West kings!

Check the trailer below