Customer Reviews

Clay Pigeons [VHS]

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Clay Birdwell (Joaquim Phoenix) is a small-town guy who hates his ho-hum small-town life. In one afternoon all that changes. His best friend Earl (Gregory Sporleder) confronts him, while out target shooting, that he knows Clay's been involved with his wife (Georgina Cates). Earl commits suicide in an attempt to frame Clay for his murder...and with Clay's cover-up of that act, a chain of other terrible killings is sparked, as a charming, cowboy, serial killer, Lester Long (Vince Vaughn) senses an opportunity.

Dead bodies start turning up in "Big Sky Country" (Montana) and, unfortunately all of them, right under Clay's nose. Soon, the FBI turns up as well. Janeane Garofalo is great as the skeptical and sarcastic investigating agent.

This is a very well done dark comedy with a great cast - Vaughn is excellent, so are Garofalo and Joaquim Phoenix. Some great side characters are played by Scott Wilson (Sheriff Mooney), Vince Vieluf (Deputy Barney) and Phil Morris as the silent and brooding agent Reynard. A real keeper.

Clay Pigeons is one of my all time, favorite movies. Its scenes are exceptionally shot (the landscapes alone are enough to watch it, in my opion) and the acting is top of the line. If you are attracted to the work of ANY of the members of this cast, you are sure to love their performances.

Now no, this movie isn't for the faint of heart, nor is it as light as a 'dark comedy.' It's relatively intense, though not all that gory. For sinister-veined, drama lovers, it's right up your alley.

In a small town out west, a target practice outing with a friend kicks off a chain of bizarre events that lead a man to involvement with murder and an unsolicited alliance with a person of, shall we say, "questionable" character in "Clay Pigeons," directed by David Dobkin. Joaquin Phoenix is Clay Birdwell, a regular guy whose lack of judgment and discretion catches up with him unexpectedly in this dark, maddening tale of morality and fate that is sometimes morose and disturbing, at other times darkly humorous, as it deftly examines the trappings of the tangled webs we humans weave. Clay has become mired in a moral dilemma from which there seems to be no escape, when he meets and is befriended by Lester Long (Vince Vaughn), a trucker passing through town one night. At a local bar, Lester observes that Clay doesn't exactly have a way with women; it gets Lester's attention, which leads to a game of pool and, later on, a casual fishing trip that, like the target practice outing, proves to be a life-altering experience for Clay. Phoenix is perfectly cast as Clay, ably conveying the effects of the dark quagmire into which he is cast by circumstances he is unable to control. His performance enables you to feel him sinking ever deeper as the story moves along, and to empathize with him and experience what he is going through. You realize that he understands his situation, and it becomes a matter of waiting to see if he will make the right decisions, regardless of the inevitable consequences. It creates a tension that makes you want to yell at the screen to tell him what to do. Vaughn is excellent as well as the cowboy trucker with the winning smile, robust laugh and a closet full of dark secrets. There's a menace behind the good-natured facade he puts on that becomes more pronounced as the events unfold. Pretty early on you know what this guy is all about, but somehow it only enhances the anxiety of the whole situation as it becomes a cat-and mouse game (with some unexpected twists) between Clay and Lester. Another notable performance comes from the charismatic Janeane Garofalo, who is surprisingly effective and credible as F.B.I. agent Dale Shelby, who comes to town when things take a turn and begin to heat up. It's a credit to her talent and versatility that she can pull this character off so well. The supporting cast includes Georgina Cates (Amanda), Scott Wilson (Sheriff Mooney), Vince Vieluf (Deputy Barney), and Monica Moench (Kimberly). There are moments in this movie that absolutely make you want to tear your hair out, a credit to the way Dobkin put this project together and delivered it. "Clay Pigeons" is a nail-biter that will keep you going right up to the end (which is terrific); Clay and Lester are characters you're going to remember, and just to make sure there's a brief, inspired reminder at the end of the credits (so stay with it all the way). Relatively overlooked during it's original release, this film should gain new life on video, and deservedly so; this is one you'll be glad you took a look at.

Every now and then a movie will be released that will stimulate your brain and awaken your humorous bone which has been supressed by mind-numbing cinema. Forget formula who dunnit, this is a bit quirky with exciting twists and turns. Joaquin Phoenix is wonderful and demands your empathy for the character. What a feat in the modern world for an actor! Vince Vaughn is most charming and who wouldn't trust him?! My hat is off to the actors and the director of this beauty of a film. Thank you.

This is a wickedly funny and very entertaining film. Each character is outstanding; especially Vince Vaughn; and the pace doesn't skip a beat. Very clever story; every scene is very engrossing. Highly recommended! Don't miss this one!

Even though this movie was just recently released, I have seen it about 20 times. Maybe I'm a bit prejudiced because I am the biggest Vince Vaughn and Joaquin Phoenix fan in the world (they are only the finest guys ever), but I loved the movie as well as the main characters. This movie is dark yet lighthearted at times, creepy yet hilarious-it is a thriller packed with comedy, and mystery. The actors in it are incredible, and each of them give incredible performances. Vince Vaughn plays the hilarious Lester Long, Joaquin plays the troubled Clay, Georgina Cates plays a small-town gal with a serious attitude problem, and Janeane Garofolo plays a witty FBI agent. (Also watch for the goofy Deputy) The plot is fast-paced, and you will never know what happens next. This is a definite must-see movie!

Discovering Clay Pigeons was to me like discovering a stock certificate in my grandfather's attic and realizing it's worth some serious cash. Well, maybe not to that extent, but along the same lines.

PLOT: Clay Bidwell (Phoenix) is having a rough week. The dead body of one of his former girlfriends in found in a local lake, and a floozy he once hooked-up with is found stabbed repeatedly in her home on the outskirts of town. Everyone is suspecting Clay except for a amicable fella named Lester Long (Vaughn), who has a million dollar smile and the charm to back it up. It seems that everywhere Clay goes, death and Lester Long aren't far behind, smiling with a boyish grin and an "I know something you don't know" glare in his eyes.

It's hard to categorize Clay Pigeons. There are elements of hilarity and elements of suspense, but mostly, the film creates its own distinct vibe by taking the viewer into a bizarre world where death and humor are intermixed and the result is something rather brilliant. Phoenix and Vaughn both deliver masterfully in roles that suit their strengths. For Vaughn, playing a roguish miscreant who saturates his world with intellectual wit was something quite entertaining to behold. On the flipside, Phoenix is right at home in playing the role of a kid who is clinging desperately to his sanity as the world around him crumbles under the weight of accusation.

Overall, Clay Pigeons is a solid film that will keep you engaged to the end. If you're a fan of Vaughn or Phoenix, you won't be let down with either.

I can't tell you much about the plot of the surprisingly well made Clay Pigeons without giving too much away. The movie's twists and turns are much of the fun. I can say that at one point, the town sheriff turns to young Clay Birdwell [Joaquin Phoenix] and asks him to quit turning up in places where a murder has been committed.

The picture is set in Montana, but most of its breathtaking photography was shot in Utah. The scenery underlines the story, for much of it is both beautiful and foreboding. All those vast open spaces hint at underlying danger, as well as vulnerability.

Joaquin Phoenix, whom we first saw ten years ago as a kid in Parenthood, has been very promising in movies like Inventing the Abbotts and Parenthood. Clay Pigeons should mark his transition into a serious actor. His speech patterns, facial expressions and body language make Clay Birdwell a character not soon to be forgotten. In the next decade, his imperfect, chiseled looks should make him a welcome balance to the pretty boy looks of talented actors such as Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Clay shows us something not all of us want to see. A life can go on fairly routinely for years, then suddenly spin hopelessly out of control in one afternoon. What are we willing to resort to if that happens?

Vince Vaughn also shines in this picture. Here, his innocent school boy manner works much better than it did in the unfortunate remake of Psycho, where we all knew the story to begin with. Also first-rate is Janeane Garfalo, who plays an FBI agent. Garfalo is one of our finest character actresses. She's the type you've seen many times, but can never place her name. She is set to appear in no less than eleven movies this year. Her portrayal is a delight. I suspect she based it on Scully in X-Files. If so, hers is a wonderful parody.

Clay Pigeons succeeds in a very tricky genre, which I call black comedy about very bad things. You have to be very good at your craft to pull this category off. Usually, these movies end up being tasteless and offensive. An example of that is the current boxoffice hit Payback, which is among the most mean-spirited movies ever made.

Some will have a problem with Clay's choices at the end of the film. I liked it. It was refreshing to see a character not go for the easy way out.

It's hard to categorize a movie like Clay Pigeons. The film is certainly an interesting mix of genres - part satire, comedy, and melodrama, and it gives the scoundrel the best lines, the most machiavellian aura, and the keenest temperament in the story. There's no doubt the movie, which takes place in a small Montana town, is a work of considerable originality.

The story is fraught with murder, sex, and mayhem, and contains some of the most deliciously convincing characters ever seen on film. There's the stable scout, slatternly tart, laid-back law-officer, magnetic mischief maker, and caustic cop - all of them coming together at different stages to create a maelstrom of confusion and violence.

Director David Dobkin and scriptwriter Matt Healy don't waste a lot of time on exposition: The story opens on a shooting match as best friends Earl (Fregory Sporleder) and Clay (Joaquin Phoenix) test their skills at shattering beer bottles. Earl suddenly turns on Clay, accusing him of having an affair with his sluttish wife, Amanda (Georgina Cates).

Earl eventually turns the gun on himself, partly because he's fed up with Amanda's antics, but also because he reckons that he can set it up to look like a murder, thus framing Clay. Afterwards, Clay returns to the newly widowed, but conspicuously unconcerned Amanda and is disgusted by her lack of distress.

At first Amanda tells Clay to get lost, yet deep down she still desires him. After he spurns her advances, she begins stalking him which results in terrible and fatal consequences for them both. Soon Clay is plunged into an ambivalent fellowship with the engaging visitor, Lester Long (Vince Vaughn). Lester is an enigmatic cowboy drifter, who's swollen cowboy Panama matches his towering personality. Complete with sly giggle, he's aware that he can work his charms on men as well as women.

Soon Clay finds himself having to dispose of a dead body, but to add to his problems, he finds himself confronted with the sardonically deadpanned Janeane Garofalo as a pot-smoking federal agent Shelby and unexcitable local sheriff Mooney (Scott Wilson). Mooney seems enveloped in a melancholic haze from suddenly having to deal with so many dead people, while the permanently tough-minded Shelby is hot on the trail of a serial killer.

Phoenix is terrific as the bewildered good guy, who mostly through no fault of his own lets everything disintegrate around him. Garofalo is also good as the mordant, but focused Shelby, and her reaction when a lusty cowboy attempts to pick her up in the village bar, is absolutely priceless.

Best of all is Vince Vaughn who shows his depth in a wholly distinct, ominous performance. His congeniality covers up a startling penchant for something much darker and his contempt is excited by the ease with which his victims flock to his all American allure.

Clay Pigeons is a quirky, pitch-black comedy-thriller, in which everything turns out the contrary of what you'd expect. With dead bodies piling up all over the place one wouldn't expect movie like this to have such an amusingly mean-spirited groove. But that's why it's so good, especially when one considers the surprise finale, which neatly cleans up all the mess and confusion that precedes it. Mike Leonard September 05.

Clay Pigeons manages to combine the best of the dark comedy and psychological thriller genres, something that rarely works well (11:14 and The Boondock Saints might be two other good examples). It's hands-down my favorite Vince Vaughn performance. He plays a creepy lady killer (in the literal sense) with a charming twang and boisterous attitude. As a viewer, I found myself empathizing with women who fall for serial killers!

Vince Vaughn plays the foil to small town boy Clay (Joaquin Phoenix), a nice kid who gets tangled up in a web of lies stemming from a desire to cover-up one romantic indiscretion. In shocking succession, Vaughn's cowboy character racks up a series of murders and gotchas for the innocent Clay. Toss in a sheriff who is straight out of Mayberry and a no-nonsense FBI investigator who occasionally imbibes in marijuana (Janeane Garofalo), and you've got a gripping crime story full of twists and comedic turns.