Happy, Texas
dir. mark illsey
st. steve zahn, jeremy northam, william h. macy, ally walker, illeana douglas
There is nothing particularly wrong with this film. It's not detestably bad. It's not technically inept. It's not really offensive. Yet let me amend this list. It's not particularly funny. It's not really interesting. It's not very original. It's not half as charming as it no doubt thinks it is. What can you say or write about a film like this? After seeing a film like this with a friend your conversation for the next half hour will most likely consist of shrugs of the shoulders and extended discussions of the imminent cold front that should hit our shores by Saturday. It's entertainment so lightweight that it could be blown away forever by a violent sneeze or a small gust of wind.The "story" follows as such. Two escaped cons pose as gay "beauty contest trainers", a job I never knew existed before this film. One is a little crazy (but in a funny way!), and one is weary and resigned to his lot after years of loss but still possesses a heart of gold. They ingratiate themselves into a backwards Texas town, torn by the fact that they are there under false pretenses. They plan to rob a bank. There are a few comic misunderstandings, this being Texas, they being gay. Sprinkle liberally with some cute kids and add just a dash of vulgarity, spoken by the children of course for that surreal and shocking-in-an-unshocking-way quality.
As I suggested before, there's nothing particularly wrong about this film, but in a way that s what bugged me about It'so much. Everything coasts along smoothly, the oddball characters and sweet Southern romance raising not one inch of excitement, let alone shock or surprise. It's certainly pleasant, but is that what you re really after in a movie, to be delicately handled as if taking tea with aunty on a Sunday afternoon? Is this really indie cinema? Sure, its got Steve Zahn, this years hot goofball in it, so it must be. It has a happy ending and a musical number, but, you know, they're not really serious or anything, and if you want them to be, well, that'll work for you as well. On the upside, the film boasts another great William H. Macy performance. He plays a gay sheriff who falls for Northam, and there is more feeling and insight in his handful of scenes than the rest of movie.
To wrap up, let me make an analogy: movies like this are just like dodgem cars. They're fun for a little while, a pleasing simulation of the real thing, but eventually you want something with the emotional intensity or kinetic pleasure of real life, or the best art, or both. (I don't see them as mutually exclusive). You can t be a little kid forever, and eventually you have to make an investment, show your cards, put something on the line. The makers of Happy, Texas didn t risk anything to bring this film to you, so why should you even care? It's lazy-brained entertainment, and besides, the dodgem cars are cheaper and offer more direct immediate pleasure. Down with dodgem car cinema! Up with Madman movies!
adam rivett
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