Monday, July 27, 1998
Screenscene
"Buffalo 66"
Directed by Vincent Gallo
Starring Vincent Gallo and Christina Ricci
Your mom doesn't remember you exist, your dad is convinced you're out to kill him with the dinner knife, the girl of your dreams whom you obsessively stalk thinks you're weird, and you're allergic to chocolate. Welcome to "Buffalo 66" and the crazy world of Billy Brown. Vincent Gallo makes his directorial debut in this dark drama centered around the life of Billy (Gallo) after his release from prison.
Although "Buffalo 66" is largely a drama, there is an omnipresent element of humor throughout the movie. While the comic aspect is undeniably funny, each character takes every issue presented to them very seriously, as evident in Billy's desperate attempt to find an open public restroom throughout the first 15 minutes of the movie. His situation is obviously pathetic, but somehow the audience can't seem to resist relishing in his misfortune.
Even when Billy introduces Layla (Christina Ricci) as his hostage, the audience must laugh at his awkward, inexperienced role as a kidnapper. Ricci nevertheless delivers a superb performace as Billy's confidant and love interest.
Jimmy (Ben Gazzara) and Janet (Anjelica Huston) Brown are every child's nightmare. Huston gives an exceptional performance as a spacey, neurotic mother who is out of touch with her son, not to mention reality.
"Buffalo 66" is a humorous take on Billy's life, as well as a contemporary story of the bizarre courtship between Billy and Layla. Gallo's characters leave a lasting impression on the audience, thanks to the talented cast and creative ingenuity of Gallo.
Alice Suh
"Polish Wedding"
Directed by Theresa Connelly
Starring Lena Olin and Claire Danes
Daring to ask the question, "How can you tell if a girl is a virgin?", "Polish Wedding," tells the story of a family bonded together by scandal and sex.
First-time director Theresa Connelly assembles a great cast with an interesting story, but the weak screenplay fails to captivate the audience. The movie is so slow that by the time a climatic moment arrives, it just leaves the audience bored and disappointed.
The trailer for this movie is far more entertaining than the movie itself.
The well-known saying, "history repeats itself" is frightfully true in the case of each married Pznoiak woman.
Jadzia (Lena Olin) proves this saying true in more ways than one when she carries on a love affair behind her husband's (Gabriel Byrne) back. However, it is virtually impossible to hold a grudge against her for such indiscretion because of the sexy, funny performance by Olin.
Byrne is equally convincing as the devoted husband. Byrne makes his character so lovable, the audience cannot help but feel emotionally attached to him.
As Jadzia's daughter, Hala (Claire Danes), is supposed to be the most innocent of the clan. Danes quickly adapts to her character's need to grow from a naive, young girl to an experienced woman in love.
If only the story had been as well developed as the characters, this movie might have been above average.
Alice Suh
"Mafia!"
Directed by Jim Abrahams
Starring Lloyd Bridges, Jay Mohr and Christina Applegate
Audiences are in for a real treat with one of this summer's funniest spoofs.
Director of "Airplane!," "Naked Gun" and "Hot Shots," Jim Abrahams demonstrates his comedic talent once again in every detail of the movie's direction. Characteristics of Abraham's previous work mark many of the movie's scenes as he successfully explores and adds humor to every activity that takes place in organized crime.
Lloyd Bridges plays the ruthless, yet clumsy, patriarch of a powerful crime family Vincenzo Cortino. Cortino's son, war hero Anthony (Jay Mohr) is paired up with the lovely Diane (Christina Applegate). Anthony becomes the patriarch of the crime family after his father passes away, dealing with all the external and internal issues that face the organization. This isn't so easy, as he must give up his true love and dodge bullets in order to keep things running.
Abrahams plays with every detail to make this comedy efficient. The backgrounds of every scene are elaborately decorated with humor which pokes fun at every situation. Every aspect of the daily ongoings in organized crime are trivialized with Abraham's light, comedic style. The director exhibits a sense of liberation throughout the movie, perhaps reflecting a newfound excitement in his latest project.
Mohr's performance also enhances the movie, demonstrating an original approach to acting in a spoof. He seems to glide through each scene without any interference by his surroundings.
As Diane, Applegate evolves signifcantly as an actress, delivering comedic relief very well in various scenes as Anthony's love interest.
In fact, the whole cast of the comedy demonstrates a unique chemistry in providing humor.
Roxana Vera
Lloyd Bridges stars as Vincenzo Cortino, patriarch of a notorious crime family, in the farcical comedy "Mafia!"