poppaditty
I really connected and became invested in all of the characters in this movie. It had a simple plot and was somewhat predictable minus the title (you'll understand at the end), but I had a lot of fun with it. Scott Caan really pulls of the tough guy act especially for his height, something like Joe Pesci in Casino. Jeff Goldblum did his consistent but pure acting. The script was savory and sweet and I was content at the end of my 1 hour and 36 minutes less of life. Ever since Boiler Room I've been a Scott Caan fan. Obviously talent runs in the family. If your reading this Scott, thank you keep doing what your doing. I think with the right promotion you could grab a sweet portion of the market share in my demographic. Also, thanks to Netflix for putting it on they're watch instantly online library, I would have never known. 8 out of 10 for me.
Elliott Noble
This have-a-go, first-time directing effort from actor Scott Caan strives for the cool quirkiness of True Romance but falls into an MTV-style wasteland.An erratic modern-day western, it's the story of Rusty (Hatosy), a young man whose mum (Lynch) moved away from Dallas when Rusty's rodeo-performer dad bit the dust.Shortly after arriving in their new hometown, Rusty became firm friends with fellow hellraiser Dallas (Caan). They've been inseparable ever since, sharing the same grotty pad and making money any which way they can.But the beer-and-broads lifestyle has run its course for Rusty. He wants out of Dodge, even if it means leaving his best buddy behind.His mum's psychiatrist boyfriend Bob (Goldblum) helps him through his dilemma. Bob's cool he doesn't judge and he never turns down a spliff.Rusty's mind is made up when Dallas hits upon the bright idea of jacking in the debt-collection lark to rob his bookie boss, while simultaneously agreeing to be the getaway driver on another job.Cue many exchanges along the lines of "Are you retarded? Are you a retarded person? Have you lost your mind?" Flaws are acceptable in debut films but dodgy improvisation can be edited out. Or the scenes redone.On paper, the cast is excellent. Like many other actors who make the switch behind the camera, Caan appears to have cashed in a few favours.However, Marley Shelton vanishes after a single scene and Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers), Freddie Rodriguez (Six Feet Under) and Selma Blair display embarrassingly poor improvisational skills. And the less said about Val Lauren's ridiculous turn as the local loser, the better.Caan doesn't overstretch himself either, with Dallas being a copy of his bone-headed characters from Gone In 60 Seconds and Ocean's Eleven/Twelve.Much-needed empathy comes from Hatosy as Rusty struggles to solve his friend-or-future conundrum. Jeff Goldblum is as reliable as ever but the show belongs to Lynch, who wrings every drop of dramatic juice from her small role.There's enough energy to hold the attention but this adds nothing new to a familiar story and the silly and unlikely heist at the end helps not a jot.
LivingDog
I loved this film. I wasn't going to post a comment about since I read "learned" people's comments about how it isn't that good. Then one poster commented that Scott Caan wrote, directed, and starred in the film - and then continued to pan it (give a poor comment). That's when I knew I had to comment about how great this film is - how powerful - how it grabs you into the life of its characters and how you hang on every unforeseen event. (I jumped at one point.)The people panning this film are all too edu-ma-cated. They need to watch this film as a movie - sit back, relax and let it grab you by the throat and drag you away. In my opinion they are all falling along "party lines." I know of Mr. Caan from a few of the movies I have seen him in: Ocean's Eleven (2001) as Turk Malloy, American Outlaws (2001) as Cole Younger, Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000) as Tumbler and Ready to Rumble (2000/I) as Sean Dawkins. I thought he was untalented and would go nowhere in his career - they were all small parts except for the wrestle movie and he seemed to fit the role. So I was under-impressed.Then I saw this film, read some comments, found out he wrote, directed, and starred in this film and then realized who he is ... one of Hollywood's best all around talents ever. If the "connected" people in Hollywood don't bury him, then he will rise as a legend. Powerful story from a powerfully gifted young man - yep, it's the whole thing.Caste:Scott Caan .... DallasJeff Goldblum .... BobShawn Hatosy .... RustyKelly Lynch .... MaryHeavy D .... BearVal Lauren .... ChristianPotter Bob Gunton .... JoeMarley Shelton .... AmandaSelma Blair .... PegIsla Fisher .... RedheadFreddy Rodríguez .... RubinRaymond T. Williams .... Rasta TonyLee Boggs .... BeardAnn Scott .... Lady SashaPerl-Raver .... Girl #110+/10-LD______________________________________________my faith: http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/jbc33/
apier911
I had the pleasure to see this film at the Toronto Film festival and this was defiantly one of the better screening. I'm not going to give away any of the plot cause you should go see it yourself (if it ever gets picked up). Scott Cann was there to promote the film as was Val Lauren. Although the plot isn't brand new, it's the dialogue and the characters that carry this film. Early on the film establishes the story and really let the actors become their character. Jeff Goldblum's character was my favorite (nice to see him in a non-creepy role) he seems somewhat normal in this film. The dialogue between the two main characters are gut bustlingly funny at times and heart breaking during others.Scott admitted to the audience after screening that he might not get a US distribution, which is a real shame. Hollywood in the past 15 years of so have rarely put out a film that challenge the mind and makes the audience appreciate the art of film. This film definitely brings some of that art back. It's not perfect (The plot does drag a bit towards the middle) but it's worth the time to see the performance and writing by Scott Cann
AD
