Bufallo 66 (1998)

Directed By: Vincent Gallo

Written By: Vincent Gallo

Players: Vincent Gallo, Christina Ricci and Ben Gazzara

Review: What for some reason I would've originally envisioned as a quirky comedy, or a wannabe cool crime caper in the vein of Pulp Fiction, Vincent Gallo's semi-autographical tale comes across as a suprisingly original character study.  Directing, writing, and starring, Gallo also adds his creative talents through the soundtrack, making this comedy/drama effectively his.  Based on its understated focus and brilliance, I cannot imagine that this association is unwelcome. 

Just released from Prison, Billy (Gallo) gradually appears to have a mission to get back his former life in the city of Buffalo.  We discover everything from why he was imprisoned in the first place, what his ultimate plan is, and how truly obsessive a fan his mother (Anjelica Huston) is of the Buffalo Bills.

Right away, we begin to discover the character through all interaction and reaction.  While it may appear as having purely comic intentions, his desperate attempts to find a bathroom moments after becoming a free man showcase desperation, annoyance and negativity he relays in all future instances.  As we proceed not only to this inadvertently causing his meeting (but intentional kidnapping) of Christina Ricci's character, we see our understanding of Billy grow, from his history with his unsympathetic parents, to his seemingly only cherished memories: those of a juvenile bowling champion.  Every happenstance plays into who Billy is, giving us the knowledge to gradually empathize with him more and more, even as he knowingly/unknowingly emulates selfish and narcissistic attitudes ostensibly caused by his parents’ lack of tutelage and respect. 

Keeping a very fine balance between drama and comedy, it can be difficult to decide when to laugh and when to remain silent.  However this is just one of the film's many strengths, along with beautifully stark cinematography and a minimalist and atmospheric score, appropriate for the film's tone and some of its more bizarre showcases (one scene shows Ricci tap-dancing alone in a bowling alley).  The plot may not scream "vitality" or "excitement" at the viewer, but the film's in-depth and concentrated look at this child of Buffalo, NY is more than enough to keep me enthralled.  

Tidbit: Gallo grew up in the house we see Billy's parent living in.  

Drink of Choice:  Buffalo is the home of the original buffalo wing (Anchor Bar, to be precise).  When I eat wings, I normally have a Tecate with lime (maybe two…).  However, the city being the downtrodden and gray locale that it is, here is something harder as an alternative:

Niagra Falls:

• 2 parts vodka  
• 2 parts orange liquer
• 1 part lemon juice
• 1/2 part sugar syrup (equal parts sugar and water, boiled)
• 1 splash Ginger Ale

The Lawnmower Man (1992)

Virtual reality is the future, but buyer beware!  VR will be man's saving grace, bestowing piece and prosperity throughout the world.  At the same time however, while it delivers happiness to kids with abusive fathers, it can also turn dumbasses into psychotic geniuses!  And that's not all; just when you thought all they can do is mow a lawn, now they can control the lawn mower AND your mind!  Get virtual reality TODAY!

This pitch was obviously not the intention of the filmmakers, but I still summarized as much from the odd Sci-Fi flick.  Lauded for having effects beyond its time (?), The Lawnmower Man is a mostly nonsensical but decently entertaining follow-up to the revolution that was Terminator 2.  It packs similar music, a unique fantasy concept, new (albeit wannabe) visuals, and to the best of its ability emulates the same cold and blue design, and character archetypes including obsessed scientists and unreliable kids.  Others may notice a bit of Cronenberg here, with obsessions becoming perversions and biological horror running amok.  

What this flick really intends to do is provide a showcase for it's "exemplary" special effects.  Now this film is 20 years old, right when CGI was beginning to rear its beautiful/despicable little head, but the visuals do not assist in keeping one engaged and grounded in this ridiculous story. 

All this aside, I couldn't help but be slightly entertained by this film.  The bizarre and unique plot took me by surprise, even with the clear crutch holding on other films and filmmakers.  Jeff Fahey and Pierce Brosnan deliver somewhere between conscious fun and unconscious seriousness, but nonetheless give engaging performances, with the former truly surprising as a developmentally disabled gardener whom Brosnan's doctor takes pity on, leading to his using virtual reality to learn (it’s the FUTURE).  While the visuals are weak, they are unique as well; I don't think I've ever seen the like in a film before (though maybe in an early 2000's kid show...) 

Initially I expected to forget this film quickly, yet here I am still thinking about it days later.  While The Lawnmower Man could be worthwhile for genre fans, it's certainly nothing to miss an episode of Breaking Bad over.  

 

Tidbit:  Produced on a budget of $6,000,000 (see "exemplary" special effects), with reported returns of $200,000,000 worldwide... now I know why there's a sequel. 

Drink of Choice:  Virtual Reality; what else?! Mix 1 1/3oz Gin, 2/3oz Calvados, 1/3oz Grenadine, and 1/3oz Lemon Juice, drink, and watch the VR bees fly!

Or you could just mix some Vodka with blue food coloring; just like this movie, kinda looks cool, but is it?