It certainly has it's moments of hilarity, mostly provided by Steve Zahn and William H. Macy, but outside of these, 'Happy, Texas' is a disappointing film. The romance between Jeremy Northam and Ally Walker is very lame and full of the false dialogue you'd expect from a Hollywood romantic comedy. Why is it even in this film? The plot had potential, but by the end the whole thing feels like a TV sitcom clunker, and turns out to be very, very conventional. It's a diversion, but nothing more.
Reviews
5 Reviews
Bang
(1995)
Something like an urban fairy-tale, complete with the ogres.
11 March 1999
Ever seen a movie with an unbelievable opening plot device, yet the grim urban reality that it is set in allows you to buy it, in some strange way? Well, I think that describes 'Bang' pretty well. The idea of an actress assuming the role of a cop for a day is outlandish (and that stolen uniform fits pretty nicely). But it works if you let it. Don't expect reality in the plot, but you'll find it in the details of this one. A movie that makes you think about the assumption of identity, about who has power in society, and how that shifts depending on the circumstances.
Laws of Gravity
(1992)
Great, essentially hyper-realistic film.
11 March 1999
I enjoyed this movie. A lot. It was intense, and there was essentially nothing predictable about it. The camera work gave you that hyper-realistic effect of being there. The acting was memorable, and for anyone who's known people like this (or been somebody like this), it was dead on. Highly worthwhile.
Dark Circle
(1982)
Disturbing view of the nuclear industry
16 February 1999
A frightening film which connects the soft-on-safety practices of early nuclear tests with the lapses in safety that have been found in the Rocky Flats nuclear facility. Poisoned animals, bad water, and lethally radiated workers are all on display in this disturbing documentary.
Claire Dolan
(1998)
An unsettling film. Worth seeing, by all means.
16 February 1999
I was really impressed by Kerrigan's first film, Clean, Shaven. The tension and altered world view presented in that movie stuck with me for a long time. So, I was excited to see a new film from Kerrigan.
Claire Dolan is definitely worth seeing. Once again, that same sense of tension is present--some feeling that all is not right in the world, that was first expressed in Clean, Shaven. This time, though, instead of seeing the world through the eyes of a schizophrenic man, we look in on the world of a high-priced prostitute. The death of her mother, and her advancing age have brought her to a crossroads in her life. Can she quit the business?
Catlidge is really good as the title character, a jaded, professional woman. And Vincent d'Onofrio and Colm Meaney are really excellent in the two supporting roles.
Overall, this film reminded me a lot of some of the Cronenberg output, minus the horror/gore. A cold, detached, and very cynical character study.
Claire Dolan is definitely worth seeing. Once again, that same sense of tension is present--some feeling that all is not right in the world, that was first expressed in Clean, Shaven. This time, though, instead of seeing the world through the eyes of a schizophrenic man, we look in on the world of a high-priced prostitute. The death of her mother, and her advancing age have brought her to a crossroads in her life. Can she quit the business?
Catlidge is really good as the title character, a jaded, professional woman. And Vincent d'Onofrio and Colm Meaney are really excellent in the two supporting roles.
Overall, this film reminded me a lot of some of the Cronenberg output, minus the horror/gore. A cold, detached, and very cynical character study.
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