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!"