It really is astonishing how so much of a worldwide industry was cornered by one small town in the sticks. The direction throughout Carpet Cowboys generates the awe deserved over plucky hard workers in the middle of nowhere, creating an empire that crosses oceans. Then they send that awe through a conveyor belt of knives, as bigger fish eat little fish with the market getting sewed up. It is impossibly discouraging to watch this remarkable business ecosystem dry up. The filmmakers showcase this by following James’s valiant attempts to land a new design contract as the work dries up. His once lofty belief in hard work being rewarded has been dashed, and he looks more to his contacts in China. Just one good contract like he used to have, and he can move to the Philippines to open a country music bar with a gift shop selling his Western wear. It helps bring the emotions to the front of the extinction of certain business models.
“…generates the awe deserved over plucky hard workers…”
That said, I really was expecting more carpet than cowboys. I was particularly drawn by the carpet designs, which range from abstract to outright psychedelic. That such artistic license was granted as each hotel chain and casino would try to out-snazz each other’s hallways is mind-boggling. How does such a square industry generate such acid-wave art? Having a designer with a background like James would be an invaluable resource for a study of that. But I wish we had looked further into James’s artwork instead of focusing just on his Death of a Salesman period. Just the moments where he finds an excellent carpet pattern on the bark of a tree were incredibly insightful. However, that will have to be the subject of a happier documentary.
The darker material captured during the filming of Carpet Cowboys is, without argument, much more grave and important than carpet art design. It is a breathing portrait of the decline of the American dream due to over-consolidation. It also is a serious meditation on the survival chances of the cowboy lifestyle these days. The good news is that the tears you shed will not stain your carpet, according to the testing shown. I am predicting a lot of awards attention on this one.
"…the tears you shed will not stain your carpet..."
