Buffalo 66

Starring:Rosanna Arquette, Jack Claxton, Manny Fried, Ben Gazzara, Anjelica Huston, Alex Karras, Kim Krah, Michael Maciejewski, Carl Marchi, Anthony Mydcarz, Kevin Pollak, Christina Ricci, Mickey Rourke, John Rummel, John Sansone, Dominic Telesco, Jan-Michael Vincent, Bob Wahl, Penny Wolfgang
Studio: Universal Studios
Product Type: DVD

Product Description

C.I.A. agent, Billy Brown brings his wife home to meet his absurdly dysfunctional family. Only Billy's not really in the C.I.A., and his "wife," Layla is actually a young tap dancer he just kidnapped to impress his ridiculous and unloving parents. In reality, Billy's whole life is an empty lie. He's fresh out of prison and now on a deadly mission to hunt down and kill the Buffalo Bills kicker whose botched field goal he believes ruined his life. However, Billy's new hostage may ruin everything. Their crazy attachment blossoms into a desperate and oddly beautiful romance that may or may not be a sweet enough substitute for revenge. Vincent Gallo composed and performed the original music and also wrote, directed and stars in the film that The New York Times calls a "deadpan original."

System Requirements:

Starring Christina Ricci, Mickey Rourke, Vincent Gallo

Directed by Vincent Gallo

Running time: 109 minutes

Customer Reviews:

A tortered soul.......2007-06-30

This movie was an odd and interesting one. It is a story of a man that is incarcerated for a crime of not paying his bookie and then planning his revenge on the football player that lost the superbowl in prison. He is released from prison and it is the next 24 hours after his release is what the movie consists of. He kidnaps a girl, sees his dysfunctional mother and father, talks to his "slow" friend, goes bowling and then gets a motel room with the girl across from the strip club that the football player owns. The reason that I am giving this movie 5 stars is for the acting and the story of a "deteriating mind" of the main character and return back to reality and what he really has. I do highly recommend this movie to anyone that likes the "down hill and up hill climbs" of humanity.

Zero Star Rating If Possible.......2007-03-14

Dear Vincent Gallo,

I would really, really like my 110 minutes back.

Or,to put it into language that even YOU can understand: I would really, really like my 110 minutes back. I would really, really like my 110 minutes back. I would really, really like my 110 minutes back. I would really, really like my 110 minutes back. I would really, really like my 110 minutes back. I would really, really like my 110 minutes back. I would really, really like my 110 minutes back. I would really, really like my 110 minutes back. I would really, really like my 110 minutes back.

Thanks in advance.

PS - This is the absolute worst movie that I have ever had the misfortune to sit through. Plotless, artless, meandering, purely ego driven, art school drop out drivel. Avoid this train wreck like the plague.

Dark, but good........2007-03-13

This was a very strange movie which featured Vincent Gallo as Billy Brown. He is released from jail as the movie opens and then we go on a pretty wild ride as he kidnaps a girl who he needs to pose as his wife when he goes to visit his mother before his later plans to find the Buffalo Bills kicker and shoot him. Billy has no direction and he plans to take no responsibility for what happens after this night, until the woman he kidnapped says that she has fallen in love with him. I know what you are thinking, but no, this was not a Disney movie.

In my research on the film, many people seem to focus their reviews on how well Gallo captured the essence of life in Buffalo. I have never been to Buffalo, so I will have to find some other angle.

My story is a strange one. I came by this movie through a conversation that went something like this:

"...What about Mickey Rourke, do you like him?"
"Well, I can't say that I have seen him in much that I remember. I thought he was good in Sin City."
"Wow. Come on, he's great. Ummm...have you ever seen Buffalo '66?"
"No."
"Do it."

And so I did. And as The Bookie, Mickey Rourke has about 60 seconds of on-screen time. And while I agree that he was awesome for that one minute, I will have to find yet another angle.

I guess my focus will be on Vincent Gallo, which is mildly appropriate since he wrote, directed, starred in and composed (at least some of) the music for this movie. I thought he was brilliant in this role as he was held captive inside such a tormented mind. There were some incredibly deeply rooted problems from Billy's past to which were became privy one-by-one. At each confrontation with his parents a short flash-back clip is inserted to show us what happened and essentially how neglected Billy went as a child (I really enjoyed how this was done). He yells at everyone because that is the only way he saw his parents interact, with each other or with him. At the beginning of the movie Billy is a hollow soul full of anger and slowly over the course of the movie the perfect depth is added to his character. And while it doesn't make for the most heart-warming love story, it was somewhat endearing to see that Billy kidnapped the only person who may be crazier than he is.

We are given no indication about who Layla is; she was forcefully removed from her tap dancing class against her will by a man with whom she falls in love over a very short period of time. From what we know all they have is each other, but maybe that is enough for them to be happy.

Buffalo '66 is a movie I recommend, but not to everyone. If you are a student of film, either professionally or recreationally, I believe there was some impressive writing, organization and direction. This is also the type of movie I would recommend to my brother, but add the caveat that perhaps he should watch it one night when his wife has something else to do. There is very little harsh language, but there is a very negative cloud that hangs over this movie making it not attractive the optimists in the audience.

Gallo Rocks.......2006-10-20

Brilliant, oddball indie film. Gallo adds touches of stylistic beauty to this dark story of a young man released from prison who goes home to visit his parents. During this visit Ben Gazzara lip-synchs to a "Nelson Riddle arrangement" in his bedroom. Later Christina Ricci does a weirdly beautiful tap dance under a soft spotlight at the bowling alley. BUFFALO 66 is a bit like another indie small masterpiece, TREES LOUNGE (which Steve Buscemi worte and directed) in that both films capture the dreary, quitodian rhythm of everyday smalltown living, but perfectly so (and both movies are impecabbly acted with stellar casts). The brilliance of BUFFALO 66 makes BROWN BUNNY, Gallo's latest film, even more disappointing. I, for one, am waiting for Gallo to return to form with his next film, if it is indeed coming...

I liked it.......2006-09-21

This is a good movie to watch when it's 3 AM and you can't sleep. It's thoroughly entertaining, I wish there were more movies like it.

Average customer rating:

A Trainspotting/Ikiru Hybrid
Very Humble Film
This One Really Got Me!
A Good, Different Film
Sartre Meets Buffalo

Buffalo 66
Starring: Rosanna Arquette , Jack Claxton , Manny Fried , Ben Gazzara , and Anjelica Huston
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 0783236476
Release Date: 2000-02-01

Amazon.com

Writer-director-composer Vincent Gallo and Christina Ricci star in this quirky and deliberately grimy little movie. Gallo plays Billy Brown, recently released from prison and unable to find so much as a decent bathroom in his cold hometown. Billy's parents are unaware that he's been locked up; in a pathetic attempt to impress them with how successful he's become, he hits on the novel plan of kidnapping young dance student Layla (Ricci) and forcing her to play the role of his wife. Billy's distant--to say the least--parents are played to the hilt by Anjelica Huston and Ben Gazzara, Huston in particular bringing a demented glee to her role as Billy's football-obsessed mother. As the movie unfolds, we learn more about Billy's tormented childhood and unfortunate tendency to bet on the Bills in the Super Bowl. Gallo boldly throws himself into the task of playing a complete sleazebag, and Ricci does lovely standout work as the one ray of hope in the grinding darkness of Billy's life. This odd little love story is just the thing to make you feel better about your own relationship--especially if you're not in one. --Ali Davis

Customer Reviews:

A Trainspotting/Ikiru Hybrid.......2006-02-15

For the most part this is a frustrating film. Characters talk but don't communicate. Billy Brown has led a thoroughly miserable life that the viewer endures through the majority of the film. There are some glorious moments of wry humour that act as brief sun breaks, but a concentrated uneasiness provides a bleak febuary afternoon atmosphere for the most part.

Where the film gets 5 stars is in the transformation that takes place in the last 20 minutes. Billy Brown chooses life. He can redeem himself and his failures and vendettas. He can find a meaning and a purpose to carry on and not give up. And he does this in such a pure, simple and genuine way. His two phone conversations with his best mate, before and after he goes to the club to confront his main grievance, and the donut shop scene are magnificently restrained and anticlimatic. But equally they convey a huge revolution for Billy so that the overall effect is immensely positive and satisfying.

Very Humble Film.......2004-10-22

Don't know why it took me so long to view this, after all the hype it recieved. Just want to let everyone who, like me, has waited until now to see this, how much of a joy it was to watch.

This charcter study follows a man who has just been released from prison after 5 years. He has told his parents that he works for the government and is required to travel. They think that he is married, and that he is flying in to see them.

After spending what must've been about an hour of trying to pee, he kidnaps a tap dancer and tells her that she has to pose as his wife.

Meanwhile a subplot unfolds, as the viewer finds out why was sent to prison in the first place, and how he plans to avenge his downfall.

Excellent film! Great chemistry between the charcters, unique execution, and a perfect ending. There is a certain humble quality about this film, I was left with a feeling of wanting to just live a self-less life...hard to explain, just see this film.

This One Really Got Me!.......2004-09-30

Like many other reviewers of this movie, I was totally captivated by how untraditional and original this little gem is. Instead of telling each other how they feel about each other, Gallo and Ricci use body language, awkward pauses, and goofy expressions to convey their emotions.

It's not that there's not dialogue--in fact, Gallo's character can't seem to stop talking--but what is spoken is not what is being implied. A great deal of the tension in this film is the inability of these characters to express themselves in any coherent manner.

I'd like to go on, but it would just be a rehash of the other positive reviews! Just let me add that this is one of the the very few movies I have watched more than twice, and lots of people I know share the same sentiment.

A Good, Different Film.......2004-09-16

This is my first review here on Amazon, so what does that tell you? This is one of my favourite films. I first watched Buffalo '66 having no idea what it was about, or what genre of movie it belonged to. I've seen this movie around 15 times, and I can't decide whether it is a comedy, drama, romance, all three? Anyways, it is one of those movies with a great twist in the end and many quotable lines. I can't say enough about this film. Just check it out, it is different. We all need different. Good different, too.

Sartre Meets Buffalo.......2004-08-01

Is there a word for being scared of neurotic people? Neurotiphobia? Buffalo '66 hit me as more of an artful horror flick than as a psychoanalytical independent film. While traditional horror flicks rely on cheap scare gimmicks and dramatic music, Buffalo '66 strikes fear into its audience by depicting neurotic characters living lives of ultimate futility in dreary Buffalo winter. Perfect hell. I was overcome by this film's existentialist depression and felt an almost Sartian nausea as I watched the film and imagined what it would be like to live a life so depressing. Actually, I recommend reading Sartre's La Nausée and then watching Buffalo '66 right after it. Especially if you know more about existentialism than I do. I want to hear your take.

Had I not visited Buffalo a few times prior to seeing Buffalo '66, the film would have convinced me never to go near the city. But then again, La Nausée made me want to avoid early 20th century France, so maybe I'm a little oversensitive. Buffalo '66 has perfect cinematography, incredibly natural dialog, and an independent feel that movie snobs will swoon over. Don't watch it if you're prone to depression or if you're having a bad day. But do watch it.

Buffalo 66 [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Spain ]

Average customer rating:

Buffalo 66 [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Spain ]
Director: Vincent Gallo
Manufacturer: S.A.V.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000FN00C0

Product Description

Spain released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. LANGUAGES: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0), Spanish (Subtitles), WIDESCREEN, SYNOPSIS: C.I.A. agent, Billy Brown (Vincent Gallo), brings his wife home to meet his absurdly dysfunctional family. Only Billys not really in the C.I.A., and his "wife", Layla (Christina Ricci), is actually a young tap dancer he just kidnapped to impress his ridiculous and unloving parents (Anjelica Huston, Ben Gazzara). In reality, Billys whole life is an empty lie. Hes fresh out of prison and now on a deadly mission to hunt down and kill the Buffalo Bills kicker whose botched field goal ruined his life. However, Billys new hostage may ruin everything. Their crazy attachment blossoms into a desperate and oddly beautiful romance that may or may not be a sweet enough substitute for revenge. Vincent Gallo composed and performed the original music and also wrote, directed and stars in the film that The New York Times calls 'a deadpan original'.
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