Description

Johnny Depp, Faye Dunaway and Jerry Lewis star in the quirky and moving story of a family of dreamers in a small desert town. From the director of "When father was away on business" Year: 1993 Director: Emir Kusturica Starring:Johnny Depp, Jerry Lewis, Faye Dunaway ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Encounter of a talented actor and a talented director
The video of this movie gave me a little disappointment because some scenes of the original version were cut on the video (119 min). That's why I gave 4 stars to this video. But the movie itself is great, and I'd like to give 5 stars to the film although I've never seen the director's cut (142 min). The movie was that impressive to me.

I am a big fan of Johnny Depp, but I don't think I am overestimating the movie just because I am his admirer. "Arizona Dream" is much more remarkable than any other movie in which Johnny appeared. Johnny, in this movie, shows a pure and innocent beauty as in "Edward Scissorhands," but this time Johnny's character (Axel) is a little more complex because he also shows strong passion for love and women like in "Don Juan DeMarco." This movie, although it has several layers of meaning, is about adolescence overall. Johnny did a dazzling performance by expressing skillfully cravings and sadness of youth at the same time. When Grace (Lili Taylor) committed suicide, Johnny, who just came to realize her attractiveness, got overwhelmed with sorrow in the rain. How sad and beautiful this scene was! (The scarlet hue and the background music of this scene added a surreal and quaint feeling to that beauty.) How pure and beautiful Johnny looked in that scene! This scene brings to my mind the scene from Kusturica's another film "Time of the Gypsies," in which the male protagonist cries out in grief the name of his dead lover. Both scenes are sad and beautiful at the same time.

Death, in "Arizona Dream," stands for nothing trivial. It's a kind of passage a youngster goes through to become an adult. It's not difficult to infer that experiencing death of close friends or family members leads to a maturer state of mentality. Suffering the death of his uncle (Leo) and girlfriend (Grace), Johnny gets to step into adulthood. The symbolic daydream at the end of the movie, related to halibut, reveals more clearly by actors' lines that Johnny has undergone a tumult of youth and now is about to enter upon a new stage of life.

Sex has a crucial meaning, too. When Johnny continues wild and liberal relations with a middle-aged woman Elaine (Faye Dunaway), it seems to have the meaning of youthful rash desire. But it is also an indicator which tells that Johnny is stepping toward adulthood; after this hectic and wild period, he comes to find new aspects of people around him and of the relationships with them. Being attracted sexually to an older person is a typical--at least common if not typical--experience in youth. As young people grow up, they begin to see objectively the older person they liked or loved. When Johnny says to Grace that her step-mother Elaine, whom he has loved with strong ardor, is now like a clown he can see through, and hints that he can recognize Grace's charm now, he displays a maturer insight into love and women.

In a sense, this movie has something in common with the Swedish film "All Things Fair," even though these two films are totally different in style and atmosphere. "All Things Fair," too, depicts a boy who gradually gets into the world of adults after going through war, brother's death, and sexual relations with a teacher. This boy, at the end of the movie, realizes the true aspect of the teacher and the pure beauty of a girl who is about his age and has been fond of him, like Axel (Johnny Depp) in "Arizona Dream" gets his mind to slide from Elaine to Grace.

Even so, they are very different. Unlike "All Things Fair," "Arizona Dream" has a far more melancholic feeling and is based on a far more tragic view of the world. Kusturica basically takes a pessimistic view of reality in many of his movies. But Kusturica's real talent lies not in his pessimistic world view but in his astonishing way of facing this tragic world. He never gets crushed with excessive grief; instead, he always sustains a sense of humor and breathes vivacity into his characters in a witty and humorous style. His movies often have some comical scenes like one in which Grace attempts suicide by hanging herself in "Arizona Dream." (This attempt fails, and she moves up and down in a funny manner with a long piece of cloth around her neck.) Kusturica's sense of humor seems to be more conspicuous in recent movies such as "Black Cat, White Cat," and movies in former years, like "Time of the Gypsies" and "Arizona Dream," have a strong feeling of sadness. And yet, "Arizona Dream," like other movies of Kusturica, has vital characters and thereby conveys the message that life is still beautiful and the world is still worth living in.

Although I focused on the development of a young man into adulthood, "Arizona Dream" never leaves a bitter aftertaste by implying that the young man has lost his purity of youth. The course of the development itself is expressed in such a way that viewers feel the irresistible beauty, and Johnny remains genuine until the end of the movie. The affair between Johnny and Faye Dunaway still makes viewers feel the exquisite afterglow regardless of Johnny's new relationship with Grace, and the relationship between Johnny and Grace and her sudden death caused by suicide give more strength to that exquisite afterglow along with a sad feeling. Johnny Depp, Faye Dunaway, and Lili Taylor show vivacious intensity all throughout the runtime, and especially Johnny is brilliant with the pristine beauty and with the natural performance of a complicated young man. Kusturica made one of the most unique and splendid films about adolescence with the gifted actors.

One of a kind!
Incredible story.Terrific cast (Johnny Depp,Faye Dunaway,Lili Taylor,Vincent Gallo and Jerry Lewis).Beautiful cinematography. Ethereal soundtrack by Goran Bregovic. Cinema with a capital C, at its best. Emir Kusturica and his unique style strike again with this amazing story of a young boy (Johnny Depp) "kidnapped" from NY by his cousin (Vincent Gallo) and taken to Arizona to be the best man at his uncle's wedding. Kusturika gives us, in this tragi-comedy, an interpretation of the meaning of life through the eyes of a young man in his early twenties. Kusturika himself said:"...This movie is about a young man who wanders into what is actually a hell that exists between two women, because of the tragedy in their lives...It could be that this movie is my reaction on how I see Western civilization. It comes from a kind of philosophy I've established after 35 years of living on this planet. I believe that human beings belong to nature not to civilisation. And I see man as being like a fish passing through a huge city. the fish doesn't understand anything about the city, he's just floating through it. What I'm trying to do, always, is to get people wondering." Well Mr Kusturika, Congratulations! you have succeeded! A must see, a must ownn! My favorite since it came out in France in the winter 1993. Let me know if you ever run in the States into an European copy of Arizona Dream. The movie has lost 4-5 incredible scenes(about 3-5 minutes each)on its way to the States.Why? WHY?

Poetic dream
I saw this movie few years back and wanted to see it again and finally found it on Region 2 DVD, in its full length version. The movie is dressed in Goran Bregovic's beautiful music, while the acting of Depp, Danaway and Lewis is captivating. It's not a movie for everyone, nor will all viewers understand what lies beneath the skin. I personally enjoyed every bit of the sweetness and sorrow, despair and hope that was artfully combined into this surreal blend of comedy and drama.

Surrial... as a dream... and the end of it -is up to you...
I loved " Forrest Gump " to . But if you watched " Arisona Dream " before it ... you noticed , that the feather trick was taken from it and used in " Forrest Gump ". But at same time they used a soundtrack in exellent way - it started as background , and when baloon blowes up ... it mooved to stereo , he listened to . He ? Jonny Depp , very important man , very important job - counting fish in N.Y. area ?! And I am not kidding , just loughing !
His brother showes up ... they have to go to Arizona- uncle getting merried on Polina Poriskova ( or whatever her name is , but you get the point ?! ). Mr. Depp doesn't fill like Arizona ... they walk to the bar ... shot and a beer... shot and a beer ... They are in Arizona in the morning . I have to warn you - movie is not for everyone ! If you don't like the begining ... you going to hate it . Turn it off , and watch something else , please .
For the rest of us...The flying fish at the end ... was one of the most unpredictable and most funny endings out of most of the films , which I watched in my life !

Emir Kusturica's Arizona Dream
Johnny Depp is a young man who comes to Arizona to be his uncle Jerry Lewis' best man in his wedding, and stays on to sell cars at the local family Cadillac dealership. There, Depp and buddy Vincent Gallo meet up with Lili Taylor and her weird stepmother Faye Dunaway. Taylor and Dunaway hate each other, living in a big house in the country and arguing continuously. Depp eventually falls for Dunaway, and is drawn into her weird little world, where she dreams of flying, and moving to Papua New Guinea.

Taylor has her own set of mental quirks- she worships turtles and wants to kill herself so she can come back as one. Gallo fancies himself a serious actor, one good scene has him recreate the cropduster scene from "North by Northwest," on stage at a local talent contest. Paulina Porizkova is given nothing to do as Lewis' very young fiancee.

We have all these weird characters in a weird little comedy. There are funny scenes. Taylor tries to hang herself with pantyhose from a second floor balcony, and bungees up and down as Depp tries to save her. Depp, Taylor, Dunaway, and Gallo play a hilarious game of footsie at a dinner table. Taylor, depressed over her suicide attempt, begins wandering around the house playing the accordian. Depp and Dunaway begin building flying machines, trying to fulfill Dunaway's girlhood dream. The screen fills with weird special effects and tons of magical realist images. The eskimo prologue; a fish that swims in the sky; really interesting stuff.

About halfway through the film, everything takes an ugly turn. Depp and Taylor play a game of Russian Roulette. Lewis overdoses on pills, he is guilt-ridden because he drove the car in the accident that killed Depp's parents. Eventually, not a whole lot of plot happens. Instead, the film becomes obsessed with suicide, wallowing in the characters' unhappiness to the point that I may remove the COMEDY sticker from the video case and write MANIC DEPRESSIVE on it.

The cast, especially Taylor, is good, too good. I felt like they really understood their respective characters and the director's overall vision. Too bad they did not let the viewer in on it. I felt undermined by the cast and crew, and could not wait for the film to end.

The final scene, on the tundra, has Depp and Lewis talking to each other in Eskimo native language while ice fishing. A confusing ending to a confused film. I do not recommend this one.

This is rated (R) for physical violence, gun violence, mild gore, strong profanity, sexual content, sexual references, and adult situations. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Warm, tender, and poetically vague, Claire Denis's French feature Nenette and Boni taps into a rarely dramatized emotion: affection between brother and sister. The gangly, sweetly distant Grégoire Colin (Before the Rain) is Boni, a lonely young man in Marseilles, where he makes pizzas for a living and has highly sexual, dough-related dreams about the beautiful owner (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi) of the corner bakery. When his fragile younger sister, Nenette (Alice Houri), arrives, Boni is shaken out of his fantasies by the need to care for another human being; Nenette, too, has a bun in the oven--a baby she's expecting any minute.

With her gift for describing the emotional undercurrents and unpredictable crossings of urban life (demonstrated by her feature I Can't Sleep), Denis creates a vivid, three-dimensional portrait of a small village within a big city, and the film's mood of quiet concern is nicely accentuated by a memorable score from the band Tindersticks. --Dave Kehr ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Touching and deep
This film was excellent. The director allows the viewer to become comfortable with the characters, and then adds abstract information to complicate the plot. The viewer feels uncertain and confused at some points in the film, but that is the brilliance of this piece of work. This film keeps the viewer stimulated by using visual effects. Also there is a strong sense of motion. Sometimes it is difficult to understand what is suppose to be a dream, and what is actually reality. The film is basically centered around a brother and sister relationship with a few added complications. This relationship is very odd, but realistic and touching. The ending is very vague, but that is reality. The viewer is left with a deep feeling of some kind, it is very difficult to explain. This film is a pure representation of society, economy, and morality. The director puts the viewer face to face with the hardships of everyday. life.

quel fantastic french film!
This is one of my most favorite french films. The cinematography is excellent, for one thing. The way Denis consistently has a nack of letting us feel as though we know and understand her characters is amazing. Mixed with so many emotions - its sensitivity and dramatic ending (all too common in a generic sense in many french films) leaves one with a feeling of expectancy for something, but you're not sure what. I don't know. You've just got to watch the film. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Writer-director-composer Vincent Gallo and Christina Ricci star in this quirky and deliberately grimy little movie. Gallo plays Billy Brown, recently released from prison and unable to find so much as a decent bathroom in his cold hometown. Billy's parents are unaware that he's been locked up; in a pathetic attempt to impress them with how successful he's become, he hits on the novel plan of kidnapping young dance student Layla (Ricci) and forcing her to play the role of his wife. Billy's distant--to say the least--parents are played to the hilt by Anjelica Huston and Ben Gazzara, Huston in particular bringing a demented glee to her role as Billy's football-obsessed mother. As the movie unfolds, we learn more about Billy's tormented childhood and unfortunate tendency to bet on the Bills in the Super Bowl. Gallo boldly throws himself into the task of playing a complete sleazebag, and Ricci does lovely standout work as the one ray of hope in the grinding darkness of Billy's life. This odd little love story is just the thing to make you feel better about your own relationship--especially if you're not in one. --Ali Davis ... Read more

Reviews (102)

Best film of 1998!
"Let's span time". With these three seemingly innocuous words, Vincent Gallo gets to the heart of this film -- a lonely man's search for a meaningful relationship. To say this film resonated with me is an understatement. I have seen it three times and I definitely think it was the best film of 1998 for several reasons.

First, the direction is quite fascinating. Gallo uses montage scenes quite effectively and there are moments when you are viewing what is supposed to be the characters' thoughts. I thought that was kind of novel. The slow motion climax, while a bit violent, is nevertheless quite riveting.

Second, the writing is great. There are so many great lines it's hard to remember them all."Goon Goon Goon Goon Goon". "I'll choke you to death!" And so on. Hillarious.

Finally, the acting is superb. Not a bum perfomance in the whole movie. Gallo, Cristina Ricci, Ben Gazzara, Angelica Huston, Kevin Corrigan and, yes, Mickey Rourke are all on the top of their game.

This is an offbeat film and it is often very sad, although it is definitely a comedy. It's not for everyone, but for those that like quirky, independent film's, this one is a winner.

Haunting and Beautiful
Vincent Gallo's directorial debut is a powerhouse of fine acting, writing, and direction, not to mention a showcase for some truly jaw-dropping cinematography. Buffalo 66 is one of the finest independent films that I have ever seen, and perhaps the most fascinating character study I have yet to see on film.

Christina Ricci provides one of the year's best performances as Layla, the odd but tenderhearted tap dancer who provides Gallo's Billy Brown with the only true love he has ever received. Ricci's performance is brilliantly understated, and she relays just as much heartfelt meaning in one glance of her beautiful, dark eyes as Gallo does in his barrage of rapid-fire monologues.

There are also fine supporting performances from Ben Gazzara and Angjelica Huston, as Billy's utterly dysfunctional parents, Mickey Rourke, as a sleezy bookie, Jan-Michael Vincent, as Billy's touchingly loyal friend and owner of a bowling alley, and Kevin Corrigan, as Billy's slow but well-meaning best friend.

Buffalo 66 is an incredibly moving and beautiful film. It provides some of the starkest movie images of blue-collar society to come along since the '70s. The on-location Buffalo, New York sites are haunting in their bleakness, and the filtered photography emphasizes this all the more.

On top of all of this, Gallo provides a mesmerizing performance as Billy Brown-a man who has spent so much of his life pining for love and tenderness that he doesn't know how to deal with it once it is staring him in the face.

Simply put, Buffalo 66 is a staggering achievement. Vincent Gallo is a fiercely talented filmmaker and a force to be reckoned with in the future.

wow
what else can i say about this film thas hasnt been said already, the praise is well deserved and it being vincent gallos debut film only makes a person wonder how great of an artist he truly is, not only as a genius musician who also did the score for the film and the music works so well with the film, but also as a writer and director, one of my favorite films of all time , and definately in my top ten, cristina ricci also deserves praise for her role, and i couldnt picture anybody else playing it. buffalo '66 is quite an accomplishment

Just a Grate Work of Art
Buffalo 66' is a gratest movie I have ever seen. It's main mattar is love, but the love story is not ordinal film's one. Although two central caracters are cool and cute, they are not portrayed as dramatic, special parsons. They are presented as usual even more like pitiful in all of the film. There are few dramatic scenes, and uneventful time is streaming. A world of the film is very small, and it's time flows slowly. That is why maybe someone would think it as boring. But I felt that the story is very natural and the love illustrated in the film is quite real. They gradually grow tender of each other as they know of each other. Although there is little description of the reason of their love, a persuasion is exist.It may be good that needless things are cut out. Because of the simple story, film's musics and images are also effectively memorable. Buffalo 66' is just a great work of art.

loved it
what a debut for Vincent Gallo, Buffalo '66 really makes u part of the movie with a thought provoking plot and excellent acting. The plot and characters work so well u cant help feel bad for the poor Billy Brown but at the same time its very humorous. I rented it then purchased it and i absolutley love it, so i highly reccomend u go watch this movie ... Read more

Reviews (38)

A great sequel to a great film.
I loved Freeway, & I was surprised & pleased to discover that Freeway 2 is every bit as memorable. Little connects the films except their similar tone, which is totally unique & almost beyond description. Equal parts violent, funny, sad, disturbing & (most surprisingly, perhaps) genuinely compassionate. The two female leads are tremendous; Natasha Lyonne in particular rises to the occasion w/ a ferocious performance as White Girl. Vincent Gallo has a brief but memorable role. Highly recommended.

aaaah, now i get it.
okay, this movie was junk, and the one that came before it wasn't too much better, but i've noticed that a lot of people haven't seen the connection between the two. basically, the first one was little red riding hood. the second one? hansel and gretal. you're welcome.

excellent
This movie was amazing, although the first "Freeway" was my favourite movie of all time. This movie was faboulous. Natasha Lyonne was great - her best movie ever . Vincent Gallo is faboulous as well. Cyclona is an obsessed freind and a crazy killer. You can't blame her. She was some what possesed by the devil. With Sister Gomez being a tranvestite killing children, putting intestines on the stairs, and making Cyclona watch her do, um, naughty things, This movie was incredibly frightning but wonderful. It was a little hard to handle.

dissapointing
freeway 2 definitely didn't live up to my high expectations after seeing the brilliant original freeway. It's alot darker, and alot pervier than the first, substituting disturbing visuals for witty dialogue. Natasha Lyonne is all right, although i definitely don't think this was her greatest effort ever. Vincent Gallo was very effective as sister gomez - horrifying. One of the many problems i had with this movie is (and maybe i'm being way too literal)that bot of the girls thought sister gomez was really a she! couldn't they see the five o'clock shadow? i saw this movie last night, and i fell asleep at 5.30 this morning, still thinking about her (or, rather, him.) don't get this film unless you are prepared to sleep with the light on for a loooong time.

Bizarre
This movie has it all...bulimia, lesbians, a psychotic latina, transvestite nun, and great dialogue.

Who could ask for anything more? Check out the original Freeway, also. It's not as bizarre, but very entertaining... ... Read more

Description

From award winning director Rebecca Miller comes this poignant coming-of-age story about a young girl caught between the harsh realities of a difficult family life and the fantasy world she escapes to inside her head. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sun ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Cinematic Masterpiece
This movie sent chills down my spine even after the twentieth time of seeing it. Excellent architecture, this movie portrays imagination in a light that leaves you a little unsure of the diagnosis. It left me wondering if the magical things that happened to these girls was real or really in their imaginations.

It also allowed me to see a wierd, dark side of childhood again, like what I went through, circumstances that made survival and coping palpable and no longer hidden. I reccommend everyone see this movie at least once. Maybe the things hidden in this movie were unintentional, but there are layers to sort through.

Very Interesting
I came accross this movie in a movie store and it caught my eye because my name is Angela as well and after reading the back of the movie cover, the part that said she came from a deranged family was interesting because that was like me as well. After watching this movie, I thought about it a lot and I couldn't seem to understand it. I watched it again and it came clear to me that the girls made up their own fantasy worlds to escape the very depressing or overly happy mood swings of their mother, and they search for a way to heaven and Angela dies when she succeeds. This movie was very interesting, and very well directed.

through the looking glass
so i ran across this film by accident, or by fate, but all i can say is wow. it shows the other side of children, the side we all fall in love with without truly understanding. the devotion and love these girls possess results in fear and exhaustion due to their circumstances, and yet it still remains so selfless, so perfect. the film is beautiful to look at. it has a very 'dancer in the dark' rhythm that captures an almost raw and living beat. and the girls are captivating, with personalities that outshine the sun.

Very Pleased
Although the above reviewer kind of spoiled the ending for me, the movie definately held my complete attention from start to finish. Very well written and directed, and the actors demonstrated and incredible awareness of their charachters. The relationship between the two sisters appears real in every aspect, and the mother actually reminds me of someone I used to know. Altogether, I was very impressed...

Angela-Good Or Bad?
I was totally blown away by the freedom of expression in this movie. All the actors in the movie, especially the two children were just works of art in motion.There were so many things going on in this movie--yet--somehow the characters all stood out in their own way at the right time. I was completely impressed with the mood of the movie. One that could have been very depressing, was somehow, magical and so loving. The movie also brought out how children can survive through many things and sometimes...when all they have to reach out to is Heaven....God answers......I loved the ending, which at first look was sad, but then after rethinking for a few seconds, I realized that Angela had found her way......This movie is bold, not afraid to show how life really is without censorship attached, and therefore is refreshing and will be very easy to watch many more times.... ... Read more

Amazon.com

In this period family drama set in the Depression-era world of organized crime, director Abel Ferrara (King of New York, Bad Lieutenant) weaves a dark and impressive morality tale of revenge and family loyalty. Christopher Walken plays Ray Tempio, a low-level mobster who with his unstable younger brother Chez (played by Chris Penn) plots revenge for a rival mob's assassination of their younger brother. As they contend with their families--Ray's wife, Jeanette (Annabella Sciorra), who pleads with Ray to forego avenging his brother's death, and Clara (Isabella Rossellini), who has to cope with the unraveling and increasingly paranoid Chez--the struggle between family loyalty and the insatiable drive of revenge leads to tragic consequences. This is a raw, stark, and affecting film with fine ensemble acting and powerful direction from one of the independent film world's most original voices. --Robert Lane ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Now what the hell is this?
WOW! that's all i have to say... For me being a huge fan of movies especailly strange one... This one i thought was unusual...
It was Christopher Walken in one of his best! Chris Penn was outstanding! Benicio Del Toro well, maybe when we didn't know him, hiding his accent would have been a little more unoticeable... And VIncent Gallo is great...
This movie (and I love mafia movies.) was great. But filmed strange and had a strange story or at least it flowed weird... But i reccomend this movie to anyone who is a fan of the genre or actors...

powerful performances
an all star cast led by Christopher Walken and Chris Penn,this movie is a classic and a rare work of art.Annabella Sciorra,Isabella Rossellini,Benicio Del Toro all give powerful performances is this gangland epic.

The (...) scene
I enjoy almost every thing that Christopher Walken is involved in so too this mob film. However, does anyone else remember that when this film was released, there was a rumor, that the (...) scene was....................real?

Quiet Is The New Loud
Although slow and somber, "The Funeral" is also an unsettling, intense, captivating and impressive movie. The story focuses the relationship between three brothers from the mob, and their reaction to the death of one of their own.

This isn`t a typical picture about the mafia, one that focuses multiple chase sequences, gun shootings and random betrayals. Instead, director Abel Ferrara prefers to showcase the dramas and flaws of the characters, presenting a powerful cinematic experience about guilt, family, loyalty, union and choices.
It`s not an easy movie to get into, but it`s surely an original and worthwile one. It`s also way too depressing, still very well crafted, managing to be moving, poignant and emotionally heavy without getting melodramatic or over-sentimentalized.

Ferrara creates a gritty, realistic and claustrophobic atmosphere, making for an addictive and memmorable movie. The cast is first rate, including Christopher Walken, Chris Penn and Vincent Gallo (creepy as always) among others.
Don`t be afraid to enter this funeral.

Very good movie, though Goodfellas it ain't
I love movies like Goodfellas and Casino and Carlito's Way and Scarface and the Godfather series and the rest of THAT kind of mafia movies. And so The Funeral was a surprise to me. There actually are American-made movies with unlikeable mobsters who get everything wrong, kill the wrong people for wrong reasons and themselves, too! Picture that!

But it was a good surprise at that. I can sympathize with another reviewer's unliking of the acting of Chris Penn and Walken's hair, but those are minor flaws. First and foremost, this is a drama of the Italian American culture. You've seen all the same stuff in the more popular movies, but they weren't honest about it. They were just brutal. As good as Scarcese and Coppola and De Niro and Pacino are, they make it their first priority to make the mobsters likeable. Sure, they got their bad sides (as in, wacking people), but come on, they are people, too. Well, they are people, but that doesn't mean they aren't cruel, bloodthirsty vigilantes.

I felt that The Funeral portrayed the mobsters with much more humanity. It's a fact that most people don't have all-rounded personalities. This movie shows that perfectly. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Actor Kiefer Sutherland makes his directorial debut with this ho-hum film about a threadbare subject: a drug heist that goes badly, resulting in the bad guys having to kidnap two people and the ensuing complications. A fine cast assures good performances all around, but it's hard to go down this narrative road for the umpteenth time in the '90s. One bonus is the presence of Kim Dickens, an interesting actress who started becoming more visible in movies in 1997 and 1998 (Zero Effect, Great Expectations). The DVD release has optional full-screen and widescreen presentations, optional French and Spanish soundtracks and subtitles, and theatrical trailer. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (21)

A great Crime Drama
Being a fan of Kiefer Sutherland I bought the DVD of Truth Or Consequences. Why didn't we ever hear about this movie when it came out? This is one of the best Crime/Dramas I have seen in a while. The acting was great and I was surprised to see the Sutherland directed the film. I particularly liked the sub plots that were going on with Mykelti Williamsons character and Kevin Pollak's. Kiefer Sutherland did a great job both in front of and beind the camera. The story was dark and gritty takes you into the world and the mind of petty criminals. I really enjoyed this film. If you like this genre then you will really enjoy Truth or Consequences

Bonnie & Clyde in the 90`s?
This interesting road movie/ crime drama is a worthwile directional debut for Kiefer Sutherland, a gripping low budget effort that easily stands above many disposable mainstream action blockbusters. The story brings nothing new, consisting in another heist situation where we are presented to a bunch of criminals and their operations. What makes the movie work is the character development, since these criminals are three-dimensional individuals and the viewer actually gets to know them as flawed people and not merely one-sided badass charicatures. Sutherland gets some ideas from a couple of Tarantino and Roger Rodriguez` films, going for the young-villains-on-the-run perspective with some witty and offbeat scenes, but overall he makes it work despite these influences. The acting is overall consistent, with Sutherland himself, infant terrible Vincent Gallo, Kevin Pollack and Kim Dickens. Even if it`s not terribly original, "Truth or Consequences N.M." works well as a whole and doesn`t seem like a rehash of previous ideas (even if it presents some predictable moments).
An enticing, character-driven gangster-movie.

Kiefer Sutherland directs his first movie
Sutherland, Gallo, Dickens and Williamson kidnap Kevin Pollack and her wife...meanwhile Martin Sheen and his corrupt men are on the chase after them...but the guys dont know that Williamson is a undercover cop...the shootout in the end is the highlight where Sutherland gets shotgunned...Pollack kills Sheen and then Gallo gets gunned down accidently...some things lag this but the action never faulters. Sutherland's first time directing

It's not enough to have everyone wanting you dead.
Overall I thought the movie was great! It possesses a decent story line as action movies go with some dramtical parts that burst into fist clenching action. Keifer Sutherland played a great psycho. The affection that the main character has for his girlfriend seems somewhat misplace at times but absolutly necesary for the great ending. I recommend watching this movie at least once.

OK movie, wrong time
Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico was a good movie. But by 1997 when this movie came out people are just tired of all the post Tarantino-espe movies. This had the basic plot, robbery gone bad, Criminals fight with each other, one of the guys is an undercover cop, Mob wants them, FBI want them, and of course one of the mob guys is a deranged psycho (Martin Sheen in this movie) and of course the big shoot out at the end.

The action and violence is really well done. Opening shoot out and the ending shootout is great and really makes up for the rehash plot.

Vincent Gallo was just wrong for the part. He isn't a great actor to begin with, but you just didn't care for him or the love
of he had for his girlfriend. The closing sequence just didn't get me as it should have.

Martin Sheen is not believable as "Psycho finger cutting" Mob main bag man. You just could not take this scene seriously.

Rod Steiger has as a small role as a crime boss and puts on a scene stealing performance.

Worth renting, but not worth putting in your collection. If you like gory shootouts then this movie is for you though. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A sexy, energetic, lighthearted, romantic comedy. Loved it!
Dottie Perez (Marisa Tomei) shines in this highly entertaining film. Both Juan Perez (Alfred Molina) and Dottie (strangers to one another) leave Cuba in a boatlift to come to the USA. Though they have separate agendas, they both become entangled in a creative plot that would convince immigration to boost their names to the top of the list for families to be sponsored. In the meantime, Juan searches for his wife and child who he hasn't seen for 20 years. Dottie, on the other hand, floats around with naivety about life in the Americas. Unaware that her beloved movie star is dead, she lights up with the anticipation of finally seeing John Wayne after she spots a sign for Hollywood some miles away. I was almost rolling on the floor when both Dottie and Juan realized the status of Elvis Presley and John Wayne.

I like that the film catches sincere moments; for instance, we see Tomei heating up the screen in her sexy dresses and unshaved underarm, and Juan even expresses that he's been in prison so long, his teeth are no good to kiss his beloved wife. All the characters add warmth and humor to this highly charged movie. Definitely a keeper. Don't miss it!

One of the most enjoyable movies I have seen!
Marisa Tomei does a fantastic job on this one. This is a must see. I was surprised to note that this was another Mira Nair (of Monsoon Wedding fame) film. She weaves a sensitive and delicate plot with fire and passion and humor.

Excellent Cast, Brilliant Acting!
Rarely does a film move me to actual expressions of emotion, but this one did. The conditions under which the Cuban immigrants lived in this film broke my heart. Alfred Molina and Marisa Tomei were excellent in their portrayals of Cuban immigrants who were simply trying to flee oppression and make better lives for themselves. (I must confess, I didn't have much respect for Marisa Tomei as an actress until I saw her in this film.) There is one scene in particular that I found to be especially heartwrenching: Tomei's character, freshly arrived from Cuba and still living in a refugee facility, meets a police officer. The man takes an interest in her and asks her out on a date. Feeling excited and elated, she accepts, believing the man to be a decent man who will treat her well. On the night of the date, however, the man tries to force himself on her, even offering her money. She manages to get away from him and flees his apartment, in tears.
There are moments of tragedy and triumph in this film. You will laugh and cry many times before the final credits roll. (For example, I laughed out loud at the "grandfather" who repeatedly continued to wander off in the nude.) Anyone who appreciates a finely crafted film that will make them think should watch this film.
My only complaint is that the ending seemed a bit too "Hollywood" for my taste. But that is a minor point. We all need a dose of "happily ever after" every now and then, I suppose.

My applause to all those who were involved in the making of this film. The DVD, which has thankfully been released now, has been made a permanent part of my film library.

An Excellent Movie By Mira Nair!
It's a shame this movie never did very well at the box office, because it's a movie with great performances by Marisa Tomei and Alfred Molina. It's also directed by one of the least recognized and gifted directors of our time, Mira Nair.

Nair is best known for movies dealing with Indian culture like "Mississippi Masala" and last year's "Monsoon Wedding," but here she strays from her normal interests and makes a movie about Cubans who come to the United States seeking political asylum. Specifically, the movie centers around Dottie Perez (Tomei) and Juan Raul Perez (Molina), who are of no relation to each other except for the fact that they come to the United States with a heart full of dreams which are quickly shattered. Dottie is smitten by John Wayne and comes with the hopes of someday sleeping with him. Juan was incarcerated in a Cuban prison for 20 years and comes hoping to find the wife and daughter he has not seen in that time. They both come to Miami on the same boat, and circumstances force them to act as if they were a "family". This arrangement soon becomes more than just a strategic plan, as they quickly develop romantic feelings for each other.

The acting in this movie is surprisingly good. I had gotten so used to seeing Marisa Tomei doing her New York accent in "My Cousin Vinny" that I didn't think she'd be able to be convincing as a Cuban refugee. I was pleasantly surprised. Alfred Molina was also very good, and so was Anjelica Huston who played his estranged wife. I also thought the movie had a great musical score.

I would have given this movie five stars if it wasn't for the fact that I wasn't really satisfied with the way the movie ended. Though I won't give away the ending, I'll say that it was entirely too simplistic. Though, that's just a minor flaw. This movie is definitely worth watching.

Where's the DVD
This is one of the best movies I've ever seen. It is as good as "Cool Hand Luck" and "The Sweet Hereafter." It's hard to believe the DVD doesn't exist. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Scary & Funny In A Dark Way !
The acting performance by Jennifer Tilly was as bizarre and scary as it was funny (in a dark way). Her schizophrenic performance will stay in your mind long after the movie is over. It's not an "A" class movie but the acting is better than a "B" class movie. For the price of the DVD ($9.98 when I purchased it) I think it was worth it if only to see Jennifer Tilly in her most bizarre role yet.

A Wild Ride
If you don't think that a married couple, arguing loudly about which of them "gets" to pump their pregnant hostage's force-feeding device is funny, it's pretty safe to say that you should just avoid this film. But those who revel in sick, black comedy, deranged, eccentric characters and stories that get so, well, "icky" they make you laugh, will love this movie. I saw it on the USA Channel- after I rented it- and needless to say that all the good parts seemed to be cut out for TV. This is Jennifer Tilley's movie, and she is unstoppable. Gallo is a creep as her equally evil husband- and the scenes between them are among the best in the film. To be sure, this movie isn't for everybody; my mom, for example, would hate it- big surprise. It obviously wasn't made for her. This is a dark, cult film- no two ways about it. Scary and hilarious at the same time... I loved it.

How Bad is Bad??? Pretty Bad
Without question, a truly awful movie. Not sure what Daryl Hannah was doing is this picture. Maybe it was part of her community service agreement with the court. Jennifer Tilly proves again how annoying and untalented she is. As for plot, character development, etc, you can forget about it. You'll soon find yourself rooting for Jason to show up on the set and kill off everyone, including the clueless and dimwitted husband (who is "seeking" his wife, Daryl Hannah). There is a reason this movie has had at least three different titles.

Twisted SIck Comedy
The review above is incorrect in stating that the sick doctor implanted the kidnapped Daryl Hannah with an egg from his infertile wife, (Played by Tilly). This is what this sick doctor has TOLD Tilly, and what Tilly has subsequently told Hannah, but the scene where he reveals to Tilly that the egg was NOT hers (to defend himself at her outrage for attempting an amniocentisies on "her" baby) results in his horrific and untimely end at the wrong end of a baseball bat wielded by the infuriated Tilly. Watching Tilly bludgeon her whacko husband to death with a baseball bat was the highpoint of the movie for me. ALso the ease with which she moves from happy carefree singalong simpleton to completely outraged lunatic is fascinating. Great suspense scenes and close calls throughout the movie. Movies comparable to this are Boxing Helena (another kidnap type movie) and Misery (for Kathy Bates' character)

They should've called it "Cord".
A film in the vein of misery. Jennifer Tilly is marvelously disturbed. Darrly Hannah's tormented performance is believable, and raw. Aspects of a film that would typically irritate me as a plot flaw, are barely noticeable. Mostly due to a talented portrayal by a brilliant cast. This film has all the nerve endings of a thumb with the nail ripped out. I give it two nail-less thumbnails up... ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Scary & Funny In A Dark Way !
The acting performance by Jennifer Tilly was as bizarre and scary as it was funny (in a dark way). Her schizophrenic performance will stay in your mind long after the movie is over. It's not an "A" class movie but the acting is better than a "B" class movie. For the price of the DVD ($9.98 when I purchased it) I think it was worth it if only to see Jennifer Tilly in her most bizarre role yet.

A Wild Ride
If you don't think that a married couple, arguing loudly about which of them "gets" to pump their pregnant hostage's force-feeding device is funny, it's pretty safe to say that you should just avoid this film. But those who revel in sick, black comedy, deranged, eccentric characters and stories that get so, well, "icky" they make you laugh, will love this movie. I saw it on the USA Channel- after I rented it- and needless to say that all the good parts seemed to be cut out for TV. This is Jennifer Tilley's movie, and she is unstoppable. Gallo is a creep as her equally evil husband- and the scenes between them are among the best in the film. To be sure, this movie isn't for everybody; my mom, for example, would hate it- big surprise. It obviously wasn't made for her. This is a dark, cult film- no two ways about it. Scary and hilarious at the same time... I loved it.

How Bad is Bad??? Pretty Bad
Without question, a truly awful movie. Not sure what Daryl Hannah was doing is this picture. Maybe it was part of her community service agreement with the court. Jennifer Tilly proves again how annoying and untalented she is. As for plot, character development, etc, you can forget about it. You'll soon find yourself rooting for Jason to show up on the set and kill off everyone, including the clueless and dimwitted husband (who is "seeking" his wife, Daryl Hannah). There is a reason this movie has had at least three different titles.

Twisted SIck Comedy
The review above is incorrect in stating that the sick doctor implanted the kidnapped Daryl Hannah with an egg from his infertile wife, (Played by Tilly). This is what this sick doctor has TOLD Tilly, and what Tilly has subsequently told Hannah, but the scene where he reveals to Tilly that the egg was NOT hers (to defend himself at her outrage for attempting an amniocentisies on "her" baby) results in his horrific and untimely end at the wrong end of a baseball bat wielded by the infuriated Tilly. Watching Tilly bludgeon her whacko husband to death with a baseball bat was the highpoint of the movie for me. ALso the ease with which she moves from happy carefree singalong simpleton to completely outraged lunatic is fascinating. Great suspense scenes and close calls throughout the movie. Movies comparable to this are Boxing Helena (another kidnap type movie) and Misery (for Kathy Bates' character)

They should've called it "Cord".
A film in the vein of misery. Jennifer Tilly is marvelously disturbed. Darrly Hannah's tormented performance is believable, and raw. Aspects of a film that would typically irritate me as a plot flaw, are barely noticeable. Mostly due to a talented portrayal by a brilliant cast. This film has all the nerve endings of a thumb with the nail ripped out. I give it two nail-less thumbnails up... ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Top notch crime comedy
Although there's a tip of the hat in the end credits to Italian writer Italo Calvino, the entire first sequence of this great crime comedy was inspired by Mario Monicelli's 1958 film, Big Deal on Madonna Street (also the basis for another recent crime comedy, Welcome to Collinville, as well as the first part of Woody Allen's Small Time Crooks).

This is without question one of Vincent Gallo's best films; the director, Alan Taylor, along with writer David Epstein, manages to bring out the actor's smug half-know-it-all dopey cynicism that can't help but provoke chuckles, if not outright guffawing. William Forsythe is also really well cast as the great planner of the burglary trio--a loner whose girlfriend left him ten years earlier and who now finds solace in two dogs he lives with but never bathes. Adam Trese, the married one of the group, has a baby to feed as well as a loving wife whose boss is a bit too friendly. Frances McDormand is here in a relatively small part and does a good job, but it's really the threesome who make and move the film.

After a botched opening heist (a great sequence; the take-off on the Big Deal material here is perfect), the trio set about to rob an armored truck. Unfortunately, Gallo's brother-in-law is a big half-dumb cop who knows Gallo is up to no good so tails him whenever he can. None of the three guys is anything approaching well off--all of them need money pretty badly, in fact.

The poignancy this need evokes blended with the ingredients of desperation and not-really-thought-through planning is so gracefully done, so finely executed, it would be hard to find a better recent crime comedy. Welcome to Collinville is a worthy runner-up, but Palookaville takes the cake (check out the opening scene to see this idiom actually occur--literally!)

Highly recommended.

An Overlooked, Captivating Gem
This terrific comedy was overlooked on its initial release but it's definitely worth seeking out. It's an oddball tale of three best friends who decide to rob an armoured car. That's the basic plot in a nutshell but what makes it a standout, like any film worth its salt, are the details... and this film is full of quirky endearing ones as well as wonderful performances by William Forsythe, Frances McDormand and Vincent Gallo.

Small movie with a big heart
I have been waiting for this film to come out on DVD. It has some remarkably clever moments and is surprisingly warm-hearted. The performances are great, especially Gallo's; from what I've seen, this is his best work. P.S. the opening scene is classic!

Indie classic written all over it
Inspired by the short stories of neorealist Italian writer Italo Calvino, whose fiction chronicles the personal and economic struggle of post-war Italy, Palookaville is a modern story that portrays the elusive American dream.

Director Alan Taylor explains: "(The characters) are chasing after this hopeful, crazy notion of pulling off one big heist. They are light years away from having any sort of political self-awareness. All they know is that they woke up and the American dream was ignoring them. It doesn't occur to them to think that something is wrong with the system."

The backdrop of Palookaville is a working class Jersey City neighborhood, and the noisy desperation of the film's three main characters contribute to the film a sweet melancholy, lacking the requisite violence of big Hollywood crime flicks.

The story begins with Russ (Vincent Gallo), Sid (William Forsythe), and Jerry (Adam Trese), three life-long friends whose economic troubles lead to half-baked plans of robbing an armored truck. Their first attempt, a jewelry store, fails, and they instead make off with an armload of pastries from the adjacent bakery and the meager loot from the register. Their expectations are modest; it's not a life of crime their commiting to, but simply "a momentary shift in lifestyles."

Taylor remarks on a poignant scene where Russell (Vincent Gallo), at the crucial moment of the big heist, hesitates and doesn't pull the trigger: "We live in a time when we expect the most cynical response. If you really put someone like you or someone you know in that situation, there's a wide range of reactions. It's not always going to be the cheapest, most violent, most immediate." When asked about other films that use economic desperation as their premise, Taylor says, "A lot of the Hollywood movies we see are responses to desperation and fear, economic uncertainty and political uncertainty. Most of them confront that fear by going: Pow! Pow! Pow!"

The characters are hopelessly human, unintentionally comic, and between the three, haven't an ounce of malice. Taylor says of his characters: "Their aspiration is to just do one thing so they can get back into the American dream. And that's all they're thinking about. It hasn't gotten to the point where they're thinking, 'Well, wait a second, should we be more critical of the whole idea?' They're not at that stage."

With a subtle, quirky score by Rachel Portman and inventive cinematography by John Thomas, Palookaville does not suggest its modest $1 million budget. The clear, brilliant vision of director Alan Taylor and writer David Epstein, together with a talented cast (including Frances McDormand as a sympathetic prostitute), Palookaville is a must-see for all independent film enthusiasts.

Funny movie. Good performances.
This movie is very enjoyable & has many very funny set-piece moments. There are a lot of similar movies around, but I'd have to go back to Diner to find one comparable in imagination & style & humor. Plus I'm a big Vincent Gallo fan. Whatever film he's in, he always pulls it all together. His hilarious North by Northwest number in Arizona Dream is permanently burned into my brain cells. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A sexy, energetic, lighthearted, romantic comedy. Loved it!
Dottie Perez (Marisa Tomei) shines in this highly entertaining film. Both Juan Perez (Alfred Molina) and Dottie (strangers to one another) leave Cuba in a boatlift to come to the USA. Though they have separate agendas, they both become entangled in a creative plot that would convince immigration to boost their names to the top of the list for families to be sponsored. In the meantime, Juan searches for his wife and child who he hasn't seen for 20 years. Dottie, on the other hand, floats around with naivety about life in the Americas. Unaware that her beloved movie star is dead, she lights up with the anticipation of finally seeing John Wayne after she spots a sign for Hollywood some miles away. I was almost rolling on the floor when both Dottie and Juan realized the status of Elvis Presley and John Wayne.

I like that the film catches sincere moments; for instance, we see Tomei heating up the screen in her sexy dresses and unshaved underarm, and Juan even expresses that he's been in prison so long, his teeth are no good to kiss his beloved wife. All the characters add warmth and humor to this highly charged movie. Definitely a keeper. Don't miss it!

One of the most enjoyable movies I have seen!
Marisa Tomei does a fantastic job on this one. This is a must see. I was surprised to note that this was another Mira Nair (of Monsoon Wedding fame) film. She weaves a sensitive and delicate plot with fire and passion and humor.

Excellent Cast, Brilliant Acting!
Rarely does a film move me to actual expressions of emotion, but this one did. The conditions under which the Cuban immigrants lived in this film broke my heart. Alfred Molina and Marisa Tomei were excellent in their portrayals of Cuban immigrants who were simply trying to flee oppression and make better lives for themselves. (I must confess, I didn't have much respect for Marisa Tomei as an actress until I saw her in this film.) There is one scene in particular that I found to be especially heartwrenching: Tomei's character, freshly arrived from Cuba and still living in a refugee facility, meets a police officer. The man takes an interest in her and asks her out on a date. Feeling excited and elated, she accepts, believing the man to be a decent man who will treat her well. On the night of the date, however, the man tries to force himself on her, even offering her money. She manages to get away from him and flees his apartment, in tears.
There are moments of tragedy and triumph in this film. You will laugh and cry many times before the final credits roll. (For example, I laughed out loud at the "grandfather" who repeatedly continued to wander off in the nude.) Anyone who appreciates a finely crafted film that will make them think should watch this film.
My only complaint is that the ending seemed a bit too "Hollywood" for my taste. But that is a minor point. We all need a dose of "happily ever after" every now and then, I suppose.

My applause to all those who were involved in the making of this film. The DVD, which has thankfully been released now, has been made a permanent part of my film library.

An Excellent Movie By Mira Nair!
It's a shame this movie never did very well at the box office, because it's a movie with great performances by Marisa Tomei and Alfred Molina. It's also directed by one of the least recognized and gifted directors of our time, Mira Nair.

Nair is best known for movies dealing with Indian culture like "Mississippi Masala" and last year's "Monsoon Wedding," but here she strays from her normal interests and makes a movie about Cubans who come to the United States seeking political asylum. Specifically, the movie centers around Dottie Perez (Tomei) and Juan Raul Perez (Molina), who are of no relation to each other except for the fact that they come to the United States with a heart full of dreams which are quickly shattered. Dottie is smitten by John Wayne and comes with the hopes of someday sleeping with him. Juan was incarcerated in a Cuban prison for 20 years and comes hoping to find the wife and daughter he has not seen in that time. They both come to Miami on the same boat, and circumstances force them to act as if they were a "family". This arrangement soon becomes more than just a strategic plan, as they quickly develop romantic feelings for each other.

The acting in this movie is surprisingly good. I had gotten so used to seeing Marisa Tomei doing her New York accent in "My Cousin Vinny" that I didn't think she'd be able to be convincing as a Cuban refugee. I was pleasantly surprised. Alfred Molina was also very good, and so was Anjelica Huston who played his estranged wife. I also thought the movie had a great musical score.

I would have given this movie five stars if it wasn't for the fact that I wasn't really satisfied with the way the movie ended. Though I won't give away the ending, I'll say that it was entirely too simplistic. Though, that's just a minor flaw. This movie is definitely worth watching.

Where's the DVD
This is one of the best movies I've ever seen. It is as good as "Cool Hand Luck" and "The Sweet Hereafter." It's hard to believe the DVD doesn't exist. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A sexy, energetic, lighthearted, romantic comedy. Loved it!
Dottie Perez (Marisa Tomei) shines in this highly entertaining film. Both Juan Perez (Alfred Molina) and Dottie (strangers to one another) leave Cuba in a boatlift to come to the USA. Though they have separate agendas, they both become entangled in a creative plot that would convince immigration to boost their names to the top of the list for families to be sponsored. In the meantime, Juan searches for his wife and child who he hasn't seen for 20 years. Dottie, on the other hand, floats around with naivety about life in the Americas. Unaware that her beloved movie star is dead, she lights up with the anticipation of finally seeing John Wayne after she spots a sign for Hollywood some miles away. I was almost rolling on the floor when both Dottie and Juan realized the status of Elvis Presley and John Wayne.

I like that the film catches sincere moments; for instance, we see Tomei heating up the screen in her sexy dresses and unshaved underarm, and Juan even expresses that he's been in prison so long, his teeth are no good to kiss his beloved wife. All the characters add warmth and humor to this highly charged movie. Definitely a keeper. Don't miss it!

One of the most enjoyable movies I have seen!
Marisa Tomei does a fantastic job on this one. This is a must see. I was surprised to note that this was another Mira Nair (of Monsoon Wedding fame) film. She weaves a sensitive and delicate plot with fire and passion and humor.

Excellent Cast, Brilliant Acting!
Rarely does a film move me to actual expressions of emotion, but this one did. The conditions under which the Cuban immigrants lived in this film broke my heart. Alfred Molina and Marisa Tomei were excellent in their portrayals of Cuban immigrants who were simply trying to flee oppression and make better lives for themselves. (I must confess, I didn't have much respect for Marisa Tomei as an actress until I saw her in this film.) There is one scene in particular that I found to be especially heartwrenching: Tomei's character, freshly arrived from Cuba and still living in a refugee facility, meets a police officer. The man takes an interest in her and asks her out on a date. Feeling excited and elated, she accepts, believing the man to be a decent man who will treat her well. On the night of the date, however, the man tries to force himself on her, even offering her money. She manages to get away from him and flees his apartment, in tears.
There are moments of tragedy and triumph in this film. You will laugh and cry many times before the final credits roll. (For example, I laughed out loud at the "grandfather" who repeatedly continued to wander off in the nude.) Anyone who appreciates a finely crafted film that will make them think should watch this film.
My only complaint is that the ending seemed a bit too "Hollywood" for my taste. But that is a minor point. We all need a dose of "happily ever after" every now and then, I suppose.

My applause to all those who were involved in the making of this film. The DVD, which has thankfully been released now, has been made a permanent part of my film library.

An Excellent Movie By Mira Nair!
It's a shame this movie never did very well at the box office, because it's a movie with great performances by Marisa Tomei and Alfred Molina. It's also directed by one of the least recognized and gifted directors of our time, Mira Nair.

Nair is best known for movies dealing with Indian culture like "Mississippi Masala" and last year's "Monsoon Wedding," but here she strays from her normal interests and makes a movie about Cubans who come to the United States seeking political asylum. Specifically, the movie centers around Dottie Perez (Tomei) and Juan Raul Perez (Molina), who are of no relation to each other except for the fact that they come to the United States with a heart full of dreams which are quickly shattered. Dottie is smitten by John Wayne and comes with the hopes of someday sleeping with him. Juan was incarcerated in a Cuban prison for 20 years and comes hoping to find the wife and daughter he has not seen in that time. They both come to Miami on the same boat, and circumstances force them to act as if they were a "family". This arrangement soon becomes more than just a strategic plan, as they quickly develop romantic feelings for each other.

The acting in this movie is surprisingly good. I had gotten so used to seeing Marisa Tomei doing her New York accent in "My Cousin Vinny" that I didn't think she'd be able to be convincing as a Cuban refugee. I was pleasantly surprised. Alfred Molina was also very good, and so was Anjelica Huston who played his estranged wife. I also thought the movie had a great musical score.

I would have given this movie five stars if it wasn't for the fact that I wasn't really satisfied with the way the movie ended. Though I won't give away the ending, I'll say that it was entirely too simplistic. Though, that's just a minor flaw. This movie is definitely worth watching.

Where's the DVD
This is one of the best movies I've ever seen. It is as good as "Cool Hand Luck" and "The Sweet Hereafter." It's hard to believe the DVD doesn't exist. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

story of normal human fears and emotions
This movie is incredibly well made. It is an original story about a typical guy who kind of makes a mess out of his life and must live with that fact. It was written and directed by Vincent Gallo, he also stars and did the music.

It's not an extremely high budget movie, but that doesnt matter. the writing and acting are better than most big budget movies. the look and feel of the actors and sets are perfect. the slightly low quality of the film actually adds to the movie(this may be due to the type of film purposely chosen, not that it is poor cinematography, just grainy film)

anyway, if you are someone who needs an over the top story or lots of action, you will probably not like this movie. but if you can appreciate an honestly written story based on normal people living in a real world, you will love this movie. it is very funny and well... uh, its good. here is a plot summary:

THIS M0VIE IS GREAT NOT KNOWING WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. ITS COOL BECAUSE YOU CANT EVEN TELL IF ITS GOING TO BE A COMEDY OR DRAMA OR WHAT. READ THIS IF ONLY IF YOU MUST KNOW. ITS BETTER WATCHING WITHOUT KNOWING.

Vincent Gallos' character has grown up in middle America with a slightly rough child hood. nothing extreme, but very neglectful parents. anyway in his early adulthood he makes a very big mistake and places a huge bet on a football game with money he doesnt have. he loses the bet and cant pay, so he is offered a choice: admit to a crime and do time in prison in place of a friend of the gangster he owes the money to... or else.

he does the time, but while he's gone he has a friend send letters back home and he tells his parents he is gone working for the govt. the movie starts with his release from prison.

very funny, very sad, but ultimately exteremely uplifting and inspiring. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Worst Movie I have ever Seen
The acting and props are sooooooo bad, that you could swear you were watching a junior high drama project. At one of many points of absurdity, one of the Astronauts rushes in from a walk on Mars excitedly holding a piece of ice that he found !!! Well, the piece of "ice" is a clear plastic box. Completely laughable. The "ship" is just a small room with some completelty fake looking plastic buttons that Gallo repeatedly presses. The space suits had a regular zipper in the back - to make sure the vacuum and poison gases don't get them !! The helmets that they used for their Mars space walks simply plopped down on the suit with no seal of any kind.

At one point Gallo suddenly proclaims that they only have 12 hours of air left, and asks one of the women for sex so that they can enjoy their waning hours.

I can't believe this movie is actually sitting on a shelf for rental. I can't believe they are even calling this a movie.

Pathetic
This movie was so BAD that I found myself fast forwarding through it. The intro/credits was hard to sit through, flashing between the credits and the crew while the descent to Mars is taking place. It should be titled "Ship of Fools" as this astronaut crew was totally in the dark as to the nature of their predicament and survival options. This movie plot was so contrived and ridiculous to the point of absurdity. The acting was the poorest I have ever seen. Not worth the price of a rental, let alone the purchase price. No entertainment value what soever. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

A sexy, energetic, lighthearted, romantic comedy. Loved it!
Dottie Perez (Marisa Tomei) shines in this highly entertaining film. Both Juan Perez (Alfred Molina) and Dottie (strangers to one another) leave Cuba in a boatlift to come to the USA. Though they have separate