| In this, his eclectic, off-beat directorial debut, New York artist/musician/model/actor Vincent Gallo combines experimental Neo-Avant Garde techniques with the realistic simplicities of classic film making. The colorful Mr. Gallo multi-tasks as he directs, scripts, performs in and even created the score in this, his genesis . While seven years in the making, Buffalo 66’s result delivers an inventive, innovative and introspective, look into this quirky and thought provoking independent character study. It defines the poignant saga of a faulty anti-hero, with injections of black comedy, clever dialog and quick wit. We progressively peek into the life of Billy Brown, who is obsessed by his family’s inherited mania with the Buffalo Bills. He places a bet on the 1990 Bills-New York Giants Super Bowl. for $10,000 he doesn't have and loses it on a critical missed field goal. Enter Mickey Rourke as the malevolent bookie he is indebted to. Rourke, who can portray the cool and intimidating heavy with the very best of them, is perfect as the book-maker who allows Billy’s debt to pass. The condition, however, is high. When he threatens to harm Billy's parents unless he pleads guilty to a crime committed by an associate of his, he takes the fall. Following a five-year prison stretch for a crime he didn't commit, Billy seeks payback after ‘his’ turn in the joint. Upon release, the target for his revenge is not the bookie. Billy wants the place-kicker. Viewers begin to identify with the outrageous young man over time through devastating flashbacks of horrors past and present day communication attempts with his parents. The full-blown hypochondriac harbors extreme bitterness which emanate from being resentful for never feeling loved. This gives the character a touching, child-like neediness. The 90s cult fiction hits you with brutal honesty and insight. It is thought of as profound by many, but there’s no middle ground with Buffalo‘66. To use the over-commonly used phrase, “You either get it. or you don’t.“ would not be a stretch. I get it, but it isn’t for everyone. It’s audiences will either suck it in or spit it out, as it is both touching and bizarre. Gallo is entertaining and effective as the contemptible, yet empathic Billy and depicts the destructive young eccentric impeccably. While his performance is exceptionally understated, Christina Ricci’s is quite vague. Ricci portrays the introverted and emotionally damaged ”Layla”.. the strange teen he suddenly kidnaps while frenzied looking for a restroom and a pay phone to call his folks. Through one of the outlandishly funny monologues, he convinces the young girl to visit his parents, Janet and Jimmy (Angelica Houston and Ben Gazzara). Billy attempts to convince them he was becoming blissfully wed and highly successful in his absence while serving his sentence. The film also stars Kevin Corrigan, Rosanna Arquette and Jan-Michael Vincent. This reel of multi-genres has a less-than happily ever after, fairy tale ending. Nevertheless it is an essential and conducive element to complete the chronicle of Billy Brown. |
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| Review by: Kathy Thompson |