I wish I could say nice things about this film, as it was made in home state. But, in all honestly, I can't. From the filmed-through-the-bottom-of-a-beer-bottle cinematography (I guess that's supposed to be the haze of nostalgia, but it just makes everything blurry and orange-ish); the cheezy, tinny piano noodlings that barely pass for a score (like something out of a bad silent film); the painfully awkward, overly earnest, just plain bad writing (WAY too many backstory speeches of the "It's too bad he's that way because of this terrible thing that happened in his past, blah, blah, blah"-variety); a genuinely obnoxious performance by lead Chris Rydell (it's really difficult to identify with a protagonist who spends the entire film sulking and acting like a complete a**hole), though he seems tolerable compared to Karen Black's astoundingly shrill, utterly unbelievable portrayal of Aunt Zelma (Selma?); all the totally non-period hairstyles (especially sad in light of the fact that there was obviously some effort put into making the rest of the production design authentic) - alright, I'll put a cork in it. Suffice to say that this is a deservedly obscure, poorly made film that you should NOT seek out at your local video emporium.
6 Reviews
Non-sequitur theater
The_Hurdy_Gurdy_Man22 September 2008
I just finished watching this movie, and all I can say is "WHAT?"
The plot makes no sense, the "back story" is unintelligible, and the movie doesn't know when to be serious and when to be funny; it just oscillates between the two moods throughout.
Another point that bothered me is that there is no flow to the story. Instead, the viewer is presented with episodic weirdness, ranging from car chases to impromptu dust storms (which looks suspiciously like a device to cover up technical issues during the final chase.) So if you want a far-out, nonsensical, and altogether incongruous movie, this is for you. Otherwise, check out something more coherent, like "Half-Baked."
The plot makes no sense, the "back story" is unintelligible, and the movie doesn't know when to be serious and when to be funny; it just oscillates between the two moods throughout.
Another point that bothered me is that there is no flow to the story. Instead, the viewer is presented with episodic weirdness, ranging from car chases to impromptu dust storms (which looks suspiciously like a device to cover up technical issues during the final chase.) So if you want a far-out, nonsensical, and altogether incongruous movie, this is for you. Otherwise, check out something more coherent, like "Half-Baked."
Tries to be Woody Allen down south, but isn't even Woody Woodpecker.
mark.waltz23 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is as far from the South as you can get, Tim dup in Washington state, and while there are definitely some pretty locations, the film itself is a complete disappointment. No wonder this sat on video store shelves and ended up in the marked down bin for $1.00 where it sat...and sat...and sat. Even the presence of Karen Black in a truly bad perm couldn't get the single copy my video store had to rent...or later sell. It's the story of a family towards the end of World War II having issues over the return og Christopher Rydell's father (Hoyt Axton) which causes frustration for his worn out mother (Nina Foch) and causes memory flashes for Axton, haunted by something horrible. The social structure of this community surrounds the bowling alley, Dixie Lanes, where Black, Rydell's maternal aunt, desperately tries to be belle of the ball, flirting with all the men and furious when she's outshined by the much more alluring Tina Louise.
It's too bad that the veteran actress Louise doesn't have anything to do outside that scene and briefly in another, because along with Ruth Buzzi (as Axton's sister who remauhss behind and took care of their mother), she's the only memorable thing about this hideous mess of a film that calls itself a comedy but is more like a really bad Tennessee Williams drama that he tossed in the trash. There's a reason that after the Cannes festival that it got a direct to video release, apparently having only played in theaters in Japan. Pat Hingle and John Vernon are other veteran actors who are completely wasted. Black is embarrassing to watch in this film, bellowing throughout and made up to look like Mink Stole in a John Waters movie. Her drunk scene is laughable. Another gutter ball from independent American cinema that is nearly possible to get through.
It's too bad that the veteran actress Louise doesn't have anything to do outside that scene and briefly in another, because along with Ruth Buzzi (as Axton's sister who remauhss behind and took care of their mother), she's the only memorable thing about this hideous mess of a film that calls itself a comedy but is more like a really bad Tennessee Williams drama that he tossed in the trash. There's a reason that after the Cannes festival that it got a direct to video release, apparently having only played in theaters in Japan. Pat Hingle and John Vernon are other veteran actors who are completely wasted. Black is embarrassing to watch in this film, bellowing throughout and made up to look like Mink Stole in a John Waters movie. Her drunk scene is laughable. Another gutter ball from independent American cinema that is nearly possible to get through.
A fun Comedy
broad1234 January 2002
I rented this video on a whim, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. This isn't to say that the fillm doesn't have its problems, because it does.
Poorly executed in the directing department by Cato, this script, by screen writer Brady, could have been a big hit. The story is uplifting, and sweet, funny, and wacky throughout, yet dramatic when it needs to be.
My rating? I give it 3 1/2 stars out of five.
If you can't find that latests new release at your local video store, rent this film if you can find it!
Poorly executed in the directing department by Cato, this script, by screen writer Brady, could have been a big hit. The story is uplifting, and sweet, funny, and wacky throughout, yet dramatic when it needs to be.
My rating? I give it 3 1/2 stars out of five.
If you can't find that latests new release at your local video store, rent this film if you can find it!
Welcome to small town America, 1945
Little-Mikey16 July 2008
Screwball, wacky and somewhat off beat, this movie is really quite amusing in a weird way. In spite of what the critics say (and most of them are extremely hard and critical of this movie), I really enjoyed this movie.
The movie begins with some old, faded news footages from the end of the Second World War and continues with an equally faded black and white footage of a small town America that changes into color as the actual movie begins.
Unfortunately, in spite of this brilliant opening of the movie and in spite of the close attention to detail, like the authentic scenery, and even using vintage signs and ads, the movie has more than its share of flaws.
The movie has some really off beat humor, provided by Karen Black, Ruth Buzzi (veterin of LAUGH-IN) and the eternally lovely Tina Louise. And since it involves moon shining and fast cars, it sort of has the feel of a 1940's version of THE DUKES OF HAZZARD.
All in all, it is not a cinematic masterpiece, but it is an enjoyable movie.
The movie begins with some old, faded news footages from the end of the Second World War and continues with an equally faded black and white footage of a small town America that changes into color as the actual movie begins.
Unfortunately, in spite of this brilliant opening of the movie and in spite of the close attention to detail, like the authentic scenery, and even using vintage signs and ads, the movie has more than its share of flaws.
The movie has some really off beat humor, provided by Karen Black, Ruth Buzzi (veterin of LAUGH-IN) and the eternally lovely Tina Louise. And since it involves moon shining and fast cars, it sort of has the feel of a 1940's version of THE DUKES OF HAZZARD.
All in all, it is not a cinematic masterpiece, but it is an enjoyable movie.
See also
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