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Buffalo '66 - VHS
Director: Vincent GalloWriters: Vincent Gallo & Alison Bagnall Producer: Chris Hanley Studio: Lions Gate Films Characters: Vincent Gallo - Billy Brown Christina Ricci - Layla Anjelica Huston - Billy's Mom Ben Gazzara - Billy's Father Kevin Corrigan - Goon Review: Buffalo '66 is a movie made entirely by and for Vincent Gallo. This film is his vision alone, from start to finish. He wrote the script, he directed, he acted, and he even wrote some of the music. I'm not sure if the story itself is at all autobiographical, but I asked my magic 8-ball and signs point towards yes. The action takes place in Buffalo, NY, and several scenes were shot in Gallo's childhood home. The entire movie was shot with reversal film - a stock that no companies were developing at the time. Kodak seems to have saved the day, and the product is a very dated looking piece complete with decade(s) old editing tricks. The film starts slowly. Billy Brown has just been released from prison, and has to piss. It feels like 10 minutes before anything really happens. He calls his mother, speaks not one word of truth, and the "plot" is uncovered: Billy and his wife (who doesn't exist) must go home and visit his parents. He kidnaps Christina Ricci (who must pretend to be his wife), and movie moves forward from there. This movie is more about "spanning time" than anything else -- it is a character study, of sorts. As the movie moves forward, we find that Billy Brown has never really felt wanted or appreciated. The only friends he has are Goon (who is retarded) and Sonny (from the bowling alley). Billy is the quintessential loser. And I'm not talking about some comical loser like Steve Urkle. This is the real thing. So when Layla shows genuine affection and love, Billy has absolutely no idea what to do other than be extremely uncomfortable and afraid. At one point he even utters the line "girls are evil" (or its equivalent, I don't have a perfect memory). The ending is somewhat predictable, but not disappointingly so. When Buffalo '66 makes it to DVD (hopefully with commentary from Gallo *fingers crossed*) I'll update this review with a little more information. In the meantime, keep your VCR's plugged in and go rent this. -- Trey |
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