The following time you hear somebody complain that they positive don’t make them like they used to, level them within the route of “Unintended Texan,” an unapologetically old school feel-good dramedy that, with a couple of minor tweaks, may move as a newly rediscovered family-friendly function from the mid-Seventies. Again then, the lead roles most likely would have been stuffed by the likes of, say, Brian Keith and Kurt Russell. Right here, Thomas Haden Church (“Sideways”) and Rudy Pankow (Netflix’s “Outer Banks”) do the honors, they usually’re on the high of their sport, together with supporting gamers Bruce Dern and Carrie-Anne Moss. Undemandingly entertaining, director Mark Bristol’s well-crafted indie may be savored as a heaping serving to of palate-cleansing sherbet, greatest loved between viewings of larger and louder however in no way higher motion pictures. And sure, that’s meant as a praise.

Issues start with a bang — a number of bangs, to be completely correct — when twentysomething Harvard dropout and budding actor Erwin Vandeveer (Pankow) turns his first huge break into a complete catastrophe by failing to silence his cellphone earlier than a dramatic film scene, thereby triggering explosions of a number of squibs meant to point his being on the incorrect finish of gunplay. Immediately unemployed, he drives away from the New Orleans set and heads again to L.A., all of the whereas avoiding calls from his father — who strongly disapproves of his son’s profession transfer — and significantly questioning his future in showbiz.

Naturally, his automotive breaks down lengthy earlier than he reaches his vacation spot, so he’s stranded within the small Texas city of Buffalo Hole. He lacks the wherewithal to pay for repairs, and so, simply as naturally, he depends on the kindness of strangers. First, he’s lent a sympathetic ear by Faye (Moss), the pleasant proprietor of a neighborhood diner. Subsequent, and arguably extra vital, he meets Merle (Church), a veteran roughneck who proudly proclaims by means of introduction, “I punch holes within the earth like a badass.”

Bother is, Merle’s oil-drilling outfit has been punching a number of holes within the incorrect locations currently, and he’s on the verge of chapter. So as to stave off foreclosures by a imply previous banker, he must beef up his crew with somebody who’s a ok actor to move as a seasoned landman, with the intention to guarantee his collectors that he’s on the verge of hanging black gold, and brainy sufficient to safe data about probably oil-rich websites. Briefly, Merle figures that “together with your Harvard smarts and my horse sense,” he and Erwin can beat the clock and finish their respective shedding streaks. Missing every other employment alternatives, Erwin reluctantly accepts the supply.

Church and Pankow persuasively develop an amusing give-and-take, particularly at any time when their characters are pulling one thing over on simply deceived adversaries, and are simply as partaking as they ease into extra severe interaction whereas discussing disagreeable parts of their respective pasts. (Merle misplaced his son in an auto mishap years earlier; Erwin frets about disappointing his tradition-minded father by leaving Harvard for Hollywood.) Church, a local Texan with real-life oilfield expertise and his very personal ranch within the Lone Star State, is very convincing and compelling as he totally commits to his function, neatly balancing the knowledge and unhappiness that comes from years of chasing desires that solely sporadically come to fruition, and eloquently expressing a well-nigh inexhaustible drive that stops simply wanting desperation. And if he generally crosses that line, nicely, that’s most likely simply what you may anticipate Merle to do in his present state of affairs.

Pankow evolves from fish-out-of-water skeptic to invaluably concerned collaborator and, when the necessity arises, spirit-lifting cheerleader, with out ever lacking a beat. It’s mildly shocking that Erwin isn’t allowed a romantic curiosity of some type in scripter/producer Julie B. Denny’s positive adaptation of Cole Thompson’s novel “Chocolate Lizards” (because the film initially was titled throughout its competition run). To a sure diploma, Merle is luckier — he strikes low-key sparks of attraction with Faye, although they by no means get round to severe smooching or something like that. (Not that such a improvement would pressure credibility, you perceive — as a result of, actually, what moderately sentient straight male may resist Moss’ mature attract?)

Dern drops by at times to spike the combination with a welcome dose of vinegar as Scheermeyer, a crusty rancher who’s grown well past irritated by folks providing to drill on his probably oil-rich property, and requires appreciable swaying to signal on with Merle and Erwin. It’s simply the veteran actor’s greatest work for the reason that missed and underrated 2019 drama “The Artist’s Spouse.”

Director Bristol, heretofore greatest often known as an in-demand storyboard artist, evinces a sharply noticed and completely uncondescending appreciation for the defining attributes of small-town Texas life whereas conserving his movie as apolitical as attainable. (Bankers and massive businessmen are unhealthy guys right here, however that’s a standard characterization that crosses occasion strains.) Appropriately sufficient, cinematographer Matthew Smart offers the film a distinctly classical look, additional enhancing the impression that “Unintended Texan” is, if not a real oldie-but-goodie, the subsequent smartest thing.