Buffalo '66

Last updated

Buffalo '66
Buffalo sixty six ver1.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Vincent Gallo
Screenplay by
  • Vincent Gallo
  • Alison Bagnall
Story byVincent Gallo
Produced by Chris Hanley (credit only)
Starring
Cinematography Lance Acord
Edited byCurtiss Clayton
Music byVincent Gallo
Production
companies
Distributed by Lions Gate Films
Release date
  • June 26, 1998 (1998-06-26)
Running time
110 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1.5 million [1]
Box office$2.4 million [2]

Buffalo '66 is a 1998 American independent film directed by Vincent Gallo, who co-wrote the screenplay with Alison Bagnall, starring Gallo, Christina Ricci, Ben Gazzara, Mickey Rourke, Rosanna Arquette, Jan-Michael Vincent, and Anjelica Huston. The plot revolves around Billy Brown (Gallo), a man who kidnaps a young tap dancer named Layla (Ricci) and forces her to pretend to be his wife to impress his parents (Gazzara and Huston) after he gets released from prison, while also seeking revenge on Buffalo's kicker who he blamed for losing a championship game.

Contents

The film was generally well-received with detached praise towards Ricci's performances. Empire listed it as the 36th greatest independent film ever made. [3] It was filmed in and around Gallo's hometown of Buffalo, New York, in winter. The film uses British progressive rock music in its soundtrack, notably King Crimson and Yes.

The title refers to the Buffalo Bills American football team, who had not won a championship since the 1965 American Football League Championship Game (which was actually played on December 26, 1965). The plot involves direct references to the Bills' narrow loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXV, which was decided by a missed field goal.

Plot

Having just served five years in prison, Billy Brown returns home to Buffalo, New York, and is preparing to meet with his parents, who do not know he has been in prison. He kidnaps Layla, a tap dancer, and forces her to pretend to be his wife to his parents. He gives her the name "Wendy Balsam".

When they meet with Billy's parents, Layla sees that the relationship between them is very dysfunctional, and sees Billy's own mother forgetting he has a chocolate allergy and his father behaves inappropriately toward her. She learns that Billy's mother has never missed a Buffalo Bills game, except in 1966, on the day Billy was born. In a flashback, it is revealed that Billy once placed a reckless $10,000 bet on the Bills to win Super Bowl XXV; when they lost, the bookie forced Billy to clear his debt by confessing to a crime he did not commit, resulting in his time served in prison. Now, Billy seeks revenge on Scott Wood, the kicker who lost the game. [lower-alpha 1]

As they leave his parents' house, Billy scolds Layla for telling an obvious lie to his father, and then decides to go bowling. Here, Billy shows off his expertise at the sport, and Layla performs a tap dance routine to King Crimson's "Moonchild". The two use a photo booth to take photos "spanning time" which Billy intends to send to his parents once a year, but Billy becomes annoyed when Layla makes silly faces during the photos, in contrast to Billy's straight face.

After bowling, Billy and Layla visit a diner, where Billy encounters the real Wendy Balsam, a woman he used to have a crush on in middle school, who is now happily in a relationship with another man. Billy leaves Layla alone in the diner after a brief argument, but regretting his outburst, returns and apologizes to her. Billy and Layla check into a motel, where Billy and Layla have a deep conversation, and eventually admit that they have fallen in love with each other, and they both go to sleep.

A few hours after midnight, he is about to leave to exact his revenge on Wood, when Layla awakens. Despite Layla's doubts that he will return and proclamation of her love for him, he leaves, lying to her that he will return in a few minutes with hot chocolate for her.

Shortly after leaving Layla at the motel, Billy finds Scott Wood, now the owner of a topless bar. At Wood's own bar, he walks over to Wood's table and shoots him in the head, before shooting himself. His parents are then shown sitting by his grave with his mother showing more interest in a Buffalo game on the radio than in her own son's death. However, this is all shown to be inside of Billy's mind. Billy leaves the bar without killing Wood, realizing that in Layla he has finally found a person who truly loves him. After making amends with his friend Goon on a payphone, Billy elatedly buys Layla her hot chocolate and a heart-shaped cookie, and buys another for a man sitting nearby who tells him he has a girlfriend, before returning to Layla at the motel.

Cast

Production

Gallo had difficulties working with his cast and crew, and reportedly did not get along with Ricci on set. Gallo called Ricci a "puppet" who did what she was told. [5] [6] Ricci vowed never to work with Gallo again. [7] She also resented comments Gallo made about her weight three or four years after filming. [8] Anjelica Huston also had issues with Gallo, [9] and Gallo claimed Huston caused the film to be turned down by the Cannes Film Festival. [9] After Gallo fired original cinematographer Dick Pope, director Stéphane Sednaoui suggested Lance Acord, though Gallo has claimed credit for designing most of the film's cinematography, saying Acord was simply a "button pusher" who had "never shot a feature film in his life". [10] [11] Gallo also publicly disparaged Acord, saying, "This guy had no ideas, no conceptual ideas, no aesthetic point of view." [12] [9] Kevin Corrigan chose to opt out of the credits because he did not want to be associated with the film at the time. [13]

Gallo was unable to use real NFL logos or to refer to the team as the "Buffalo Bills"—just "Buffalo" or "the Bills"—as NFL Properties was uncooperative. Kicker Scott Norwood was invited to participate in the film but declined, meaning Gallo had to change the character's name to Scott Wood. [14]

The film was made for just under $2 million. It was filmed on reversal stock to give it a classic look similar to that of NFL Films reels from the 1960s, with high color saturation and contrast. [14]

Gallo has stated that despite popular misconception, the film "isn't autobiographical in any real way. Yes, the parents are based on my mother and father, but that's a conceptual gimmick. People often diminish the multitasking on that film by calling it autobiographical. The interesting thing about me is that I don't relate to Billy Brown in any way, because I don't take that abuse in any other form." [15]

Music

Most of the film's score was composed and performed by Gallo himself. The score features re-recordings of four tracks that first appeared on the soundtrack for The Way It Is, which was released in a limited vinyl-only edition in 1992.

The soundtrack also makes use of several other songs, including "Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread)" by Nelson Riddle in a cover version performed by Gallo's father Vincent Gallo Sr., "Moonchild" by King Crimson, "I Remember When" by Stan Getz, and "Heart of the Sunrise" and "Sweetness" by Yes.

Themes and analysis

Gallo, who is a political conservative, has stated that Buffalo '66 is a political film. In an interview with filmmaker Caveh Zahedi, Gallo stated:

"In Buffalo '66, the idea was of this extremely misguided victim who saw himself as a victim in the most unreasonable, unrealistic ways. That his life transforms the minute he takes responsibility for his own life is a direct political statement – a very uncomfortable one for many people because socialists feel quite opposed to that." [16]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 77% based on 60 reviews, with an average rating of 7.1/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Self-indulgent yet intriguing, Buffalo '66 marks an auspicious feature debut for writer-director-star Vincent Gallo while showcasing a terrific performance from Christina Ricci." [17] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 68 out 100, based on 19 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [18]

In Time Out New York , film critic Andrew Johnston noted: "Ricci and Huston give poignant depth to characters that could have been cartoons, and Gallo makes Billy both annoying and sympathetic with seeming effortlessness. But the film's most potent ingredient is its visual style. The film's washed-out colors and the flashbacks that explode from Billy's head like comic-book thought balloons make Buffalo feel less like a movie than a dream given form." [19] Film critic Roger Ebert gave the film a positive review, awarding it 3/4 stars, and writing that it "plays like a collision between a lot of half-baked visual ideas and a deep and urgent need. That makes it interesting." [20] Film critic Elvis Mitchell praised the film in an interview with Gallo, describing the film as "touching". [21]

The film has since gained a cult following, [22] especially in Japan. [23]

Accolades

AwardYearCategoryRecipientResult
British Independent Film Awards 1999Best Foreign Independent Film - English LanguageBuffalo 66Nominated
Gijón International Film Festival 1998Special Prize of the Young JuryVincent GalloWon
Grand Prix AsturiasNominated
Gotham Awards 1998 Open Palm AwardNominated
International Film Festival Rotterdam 1999Moviezone AwardWon
New York Film Critics Circle 1998 Best First FilmNominated
Seattle International Film Festival 1998Best ActressChristina RicciWon
Stockholm International Film Festival 1998 Bronze Horse: Best Film Buffalo 66Nominated
Sundance Film Festival 1998 Dramatic CompetitionVincent GalloNominated

Notes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Huston</span> American filmmaker (1906–1987)

John Marcellus Huston was an American film director, screenwriter and actor. He wrote the screenplays for most of the 37 feature films he directed, many of which are today considered classics. He received numerous accolades including two Academy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 and the BAFTA Fellowship in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walter Huston</span> Canadian actor and singer

Walter Thomas Huston was a Canadian actor and singer. Huston won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, directed by his son John Huston. He is the patriarch of the four generations of the Huston acting family, including his son John, grandchildren Anjelica Huston and Danny Huston, as well as great-grandchild Jack Huston. The family has produced three generations of Academy Award winners: Walter, his son John, and granddaughter Anjelica.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christina Ricci</span> American actress (born 1980)

Christina Ricci is an American actress. Known for playing unusual characters with a dark edge, Ricci works mostly in independent productions, but has also appeared in numerous box-office hits. She is the recipient of Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vincent Gallo</span> American film director, writer, model, motorcycle racer, painter, actor and musician

Vincent Gallo is an American actor, filmmaker, and musician. He has won several accolades, including a Volpi Cup for Best Actor, and has been nominated for numerous more, including the Palme d'Or, the Golden Lion, and the Bronze Horse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anjelica Huston</span> American actress (born 1951)

Anjelica Huston is an American actress, director and model known for often portraying eccentric and distinctive characters. She has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, as well as nominations for three British Academy Film Awards and six Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2010, she was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lance Acord</span> American cinematographer (born 1964)

Lance Acord is an American cinematographer and film director. He is best known for his work on the films, Buffalo '66 (1998), Being John Malkovich (1999), Adaptation (2002), and Lost in Translation (2003).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Oldham</span> American singer-songwriter and actor (born 1970)

Joseph Will Oldham is an American singer-songwriter and actor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded in collaboration with dozens of other musicians under variations of Palace. After briefly publishing music under his own name, in 1998 he adopted Bonnie "Prince" Billy as the name for most of his work.

<i>The Dead</i> (1987 film) 1987 film by John Huston

The Dead is a 1987 drama film directed by John Huston, written by his son Tony Huston, and starring his daughter Anjelica Huston. It is an adaptation of the short story of the same name by James Joyce, which was first published in 1914 as the last story in Dubliners. An international co-production between the United Kingdom, the United States, and West Germany, the film was Huston's last as director, and it was released several months after his death.

<i>Addams Family Values</i> 1993 film by Barry Sonnenfeld

Addams Family Values is a 1993 American supernatural black comedy film directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and written by Paul Rudnick, based on the characters created by Charles Addams. It is the sequel to The Addams Family (1991). The film features almost all the main cast members from the original film, including Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Christina Ricci, Carel Struycken, Jimmy Workman, and Christopher Hart. Joan Cusack, Carol Kane, and David Krumholtz joined the cast for this film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Gazzara</span> American actor (1930–2012)

Biagio Anthony "Ben" Gazzara was an American actor and director of film, stage, and television. He received numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Drama Desk Award, in addition to nominations for three Golden Globe Awards and three Tony Awards.

Scott Allan Norwood is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker for seven seasons with the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He also played for the Birmingham Stallions in the United States Football League (USFL) for two seasons. As Buffalo's placekicker from 1985 to 1991, Norwood led the league in scoring for the 1988 season and played in their first two Super Bowl appearances. Despite his accomplishments, he is best known for missing a game-winning field goal attempt at the end of Super Bowl XXV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rebecca Lord</span> French pornographic actress

Rebecca Lord is a French pornographic actress, director, and producer who has been active since 1993. Soon after her first experience in the porn industry, she moved U.S., where she achieved popularity, appearing in over 200 porn movies. She is the owner of Rebecca Lord Productions. In 2013, Rebecca Lord was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame.

<i>The Witches</i> (1990 film) 1990 film by Nicolas Roeg

The Witches is a 1990 American dark fantasy comedy horror film directed by Nicolas Roeg from a screenplay by Allan Scott, based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. The film stars Anjelica Huston and Mai Zetterling. The plot features evil witches who masquerade as ordinary women and follows a boy and his grandmother, who must find a way to foil their plans of turning children into mice.

"Come Wander with Me" is the final episode to be filmed of the American television series The Twilight Zone. This episode introduced Bonnie Beecher in her television debut.

<i>Mr. North</i> 1988 film by Danny Huston

Mr. North is a 1988 American comedy-drama film starring Anthony Edwards and featuring Robert Mitchum and Lauren Bacall, based on the novel Theophilus North (1973) by Thornton Wilder.

<i>The Addams Family</i> (1991 film) 1991 film by Barry Sonnenfeld

The Addams Family is a 1991 American supernatural black comedy film based on the characters from the cartoon created by cartoonist Charles Addams and the 1964 television series produced by David Levy. Directed by former cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld in his feature directorial debut, the film stars Anjelica Huston, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance as Morticia Addams, Raul Julia as Gomez Addams, and Christopher Lloyd as Fester Addams. The film focuses on a bizarre, macabre, aristocratic family who reconnect with someone whom they believe to be a long-lost relative, Gomez's brother Fester Addams.

<i>A Handful of Dust</i> (film) 1988 British film

A Handful of Dust is a 1988 British film directed by Charles Sturridge, based on the 1934 novel of the same name by Evelyn Waugh. It stars James Wilby and Kristin Scott Thomas. Originally conceived as a television project, it was the first feature film financed by London Weekend Television.

<i>The Perez Family</i> 1995 film by Mira Nair

The Perez Family is an American comedy film released in 1995 about a group of Cuban refugees in America who pretend to be a family. It stars Marisa Tomei, Alfred Molina, Anjelica Huston, Chazz Palminteri, and other well-known actors. It was based on the 1990 novel The Perez Family by Christine Bell. The film was directed by Mira Nair.

Scott Charles Abbott is an American screenwriter and novelist.

<i>The Watcher in the Woods</i> (2017 film) American TV series or program

The Watcher in the Woods is a 2017 American made-for-television horror film directed by Melissa Joan Hart and starring Anjelica Huston. It is based on the 1976 novel A Watcher in the Woods by Florence Engel Randall, which had previously been adapted into the 1980 film of the same name. It premiered on Lifetime October 21, 2017.

References

  1. ↑ Smith, Andrew (September 29, 2001). "Buffalo boy". The Observer . Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Buffalo '66 (1998)". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  3. ↑ "50 Greatest Independent Films by Empire Magazine". Filmsite . Retrieved October 19, 2010.
  4. ↑ Imlach, Gary (January 7, 2007). "It's Super Bowl loser Norwood's unlucky number. Here's why..." The Observer . Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Director Lashes Out at Ricci". ABC News. October 30, 2000. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  6. ↑ Lee-Youngren, Tiffany (January 18, 2005). "Truth or consequences". San Diego Union Tribune . Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved April 15, 2008.
  7. ↑ "Ricci's Traumatic Gallo Memories". Contactmusic.com . July 13, 2004. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  8. ↑ Calhoun, Dave (May 2007). "Christina Ricci interview". Time Out . Archived from the original on April 11, 2008. Retrieved April 15, 2008.
  9. 1 2 3 Chaw, Walter (January 3, 2013). "Gallo's Humor: FFC Interviews Vincent Gallo". Film Freak Central. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  10. ↑ Grant, Ed (February 3, 2015). "Workshopping History: Mike Leigh on Mr. Turner". The Public . Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Capone Takes A Shot In The Mouth From THE BROWN BUNNY'S Vincent Gallo!!". Ain't It Cool News . August 22, 2004. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  12. ↑ Zahedi, Caveh (September 9, 2004). ""I don't intend to be a provocateur": Vincent Gallo". GreenCine . Archived from the original on April 17, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  13. ↑ Rabin, Nathan (February 2, 2010). "Kevin Corrigan". The A.V. Club . Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  14. 1 2 Faust, M. (March 30, 2015). "From the Vaults: Vincent Gallo on Buffalo and Buffalo 66". The Public . Retrieved September 23, 2018.
  15. ↑ Tobias, Scott (September 1, 2004). "Vincent Gallo". The A.V. Club .
  16. ↑ Zahedi, Caveh. "I don't intend to be a provocateur: Vincent Gallo". CavehZahedi.com.
  17. ↑ "Buffalo '66". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Buffalo '66". Metacritic . Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  19. ↑ Johnston, Andrew (June 25, 1998). "Buffalo '66". Time Out New York . p. 84.
  20. ↑ Ebert, Roger (August 7, 1998). "Buffalo '66". Chicago Sun-Times – via RogerEbert.com.
  21. ↑ Mitchell, Elvis (August 21, 1998). "Vincent Gallo". The Treatment (Podcast). KCRW. Event occurs at 1:40.
  22. ↑ Peretti, Jacques (November 13, 2003). "'You are a bad man trying to do bad things to Vincent'". The Guardian .
  23. ↑ Dipietro, Monty (August 7, 2002). "Vincent Gallo: the one that got away". The Japan Times . Archived from the original on December 9, 2021.
  24. ↑ Golsen, Tyler (January 12, 2022). "The indie film referenced in the Wet Leg song 'Wet Dream'". Far Out . Retrieved April 24, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.