Buffalo ’66 1998
Vincent Gallo, best known for his roles in Palookaville (1996) and The Funeral (1996), describes this ridiculous drama that he wrote, directed, and starred in as his masterpiece. Gallo plays Billy, who kidnaps a young girl (played by Christina Ricci in a mini skirt and fabulous shoes) and forces her to pretend to be his wife while visiting his crazy family, unaware of his years spent in prison. Billy claims to be a secret agent working for the government and that’s why he stays away from home. This quirky, low-budget love story with such an entertaining storyline deserves praise for the four lead actors’ commendable performances (Ben Gazzara stands out as Billy’s creepy father and Anjelica Huston is hilariously over-the-top as a football-loving mother). Mickey Rourke, Jan-Michael Vincent, and Rosanna Arquette also add color as guest stars. Gallo, who successfully handles everything about the film, composing the music and using his family’s home in Buffalo as the main setting, takes an ironic look at relationships and disappointments through various visual techniques and imagery.
