Customer Reviews

Waking Up in Reno

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I watched this movie thinking it would be completely dumb, but I was soon proven wrong. The humor and emotion in this movie was intense to the point of uncontrollable laughter. I was home alone when I watched it and surprised at how loud I was laughing. The characters are well developed and portrayed by all four talented actors. Although extremely humorous, this movie also had a serious side. It tests the strength of true love and true friendship to the max. This is a great movie that will leave you with a warm feeling inside.

I had to take a road-trip of my own four towns to the south to see Billy Bob Thornton in "Waking Up In Reno" because of its 'limited release' status. But it was worth the trip.

There were only six other people in the theater. All seven of us laughed at the appropriate times, so there are at least seven people in this part of southern Florida who recognize 'funny' when they see/hear it.

I do not know why this movie is getting such bad reviews and bad press. Maybe you have to be from the south to enjoy the humor. I would say maybe you have to be a BBT fan, but I don't think that is true, because I would have enjoyed it anyway. It isn't another Monster's Ball or Sling Blade, but it is funny and has just enough of a ring of truth in the situations and very believable characters (at least to us southern folk) to make it enjoyable, recognizable, cute and humerous. Won't win any awards, but deserves better ink than it is getting.

The premise for those of you who don't know is based on a road trip from Millsberg, Arkansas (pop 8,8??, too quick for my old eyes) to Reno with a detour to Amarillo so Billy Bob's character (Lonnie Earl Dodd) can win a $50.00 bet by eating a 72 oz. steak. This is like a road-movie, but less like Hope and Crosby and more like Chevy Chase and Beverly DeAngelo without the kids (although the two couples do often act a lot like kids).

Patrick Swayze's character (Roy Kirkendall-sp?) is sweating the results of a pending fertility test; his wife, Candy, (Charlize Theron) is begging for a renewal of their marriage vows in Reno (because lots of people get re-married where gambling is legal); and Lonnie Earl's wife (Darlene Dodd) played by Natasha Richardson just 'isn't the girl that Lonnie married' anymore.

Lonnie sells used-cars, Roy works for his father-in-law in a cat-food cannery, and Darlene is a stay-at-home mom, while Candy has transformed from 'Lonnie's supportive friend' to 'his afternoon delight'. These are individuals who have been friends since grade school, but discover while on the road to Reno that there are still many things to be learned about one another. The revelation of these little secrets 'just among friends' makes for some pretty hilarious antics in 'the 'Biggest Little City In The World'.

From searching for midgets to roadside-bedroom antics for a grateful audience; from brawls on the casino floor, to bubble baths and room service; the four "Wake Up" to insights about themselves and their friends and relations. Roy discovers his manhood in a most unlikely manner, Candy learns a secret that sends tremors through all the relationships, Darlene definitely gets her groove back, and Lonnie...well Lonnie may just be on the receiving end of one of the greatest acts of revenge a scorned woman has ever devised.....

Brent Briscoe (The Killing Box, A Simple Plan, U-Turn, Sling Blade, and Minus Man, not a Billy Bob Thornton film, but starring Dwight Yoakam, who also was one of the producers of "Waking Up In Reno") is Russell Whitehead, small town cop. I will need to see the flick again, but I believe I caught a brief, very brief, glimpse of Marty Stuart. He was billed as a member of the 'musical group', but I thought I caught him in a crowd scene. Tony Orlando plays himself in an integral part of locating 'the real' Darlene. There are ooodles of great shots of Billy Bob's gorgeous brown eyes that you could drown in. You also get to hear him sing a snippet of "Hang On Sloopy" (which might possibly be on his next CD). There is a close-up of a kiss between BB and Natasha that will have his female fans drooling, at least it worked for me.

All in all this was a very enjoyable film and I would recommend it to all Billy Bob's fans and anyone else who enjoys cute comedy with a just a little message tucked in the corners.

Its a good'n. See it soon at a theater that may NOT be near you.

The talents of this cast take this story and make it enjoyable and entertaining. The always lovable Billy Bob Thornton and Patrick Swayzee are perfect opposites, and Charlize Theron justs get sexier with each film she makes, Natasha Richardson shines as the wallflower wife turned into a outgoing take charge woman when the trip to Reno comes unraveled in hilarious marital misadventure that forutunately ends in a typical hollywood all is well with the world ending.

This is one of the funniest films I've seen in years. Billy Bob's performance is outstanding. Some reviewers have said that the characters are stereotypical dumb rednecks. All I can say is that I know a lot of people just like them. And I would say that they are not dumb, but rather sweet but naive.

If you are looking for easy, adult, laugh out loud entertainment, this is the movie. It is a light hearted comedy and the story lines have been "done to death" but these 4 actors put a fresh spin on these otherwise "trite" characters. Billy Bob Thornton is just brilliantly funny. You want to hate him but you can't. To see Patrick Swayze playing what we think is a not too bright person was fabulous. He did an outstanding job. I have never seen him in a roll like this. Loved "aphrodeliac". (see the movie). The person that amazed me the most was Charlize Theron. She is not from this country and pulled off "a southern girl with a some red neck in her" beautifully. Being from the south, I see those girls every day. Natasha Richardson had the most sophisticated character of the group and played that very well against the other 3. Watch this movie and take it for what it is. This could be a cult film. Some of the lines are not brilliant by any means;it is all in the delivery. They are just plainly hilarious and my husband and I say them to each other. I do like the title as they are literally and metaphorically waking up in Reno.

It is not hard to imagine why it took so long for this movie to be released. It's not very good and the story has nothing new or worthwile about it. There must have been more stories about couples sleeping with the other in the other couple. Billy Bob Thornton is worth seeing in this movie, playing a second-hand car dealer. Charlize Theron isn't bad as Patrick Swayze's wife. It is rather fun hearing Swayze talk with a southern accent. If you have too much money or a Billy-Bob obsession you can get it, but I would what until it's on television.

If this sat unreleased for two years, it's hard to see why since so many worse movies are trumpeted every week. This is a solid redneck comedy with an almost all-star cast. Billy Bob and Charlize Theron steal the show, but Patrick Swayze and a British actress really aren't bad at all. There are no belly laughs, but there seldom are in so-called American film comedies. I viewed this without pain in one sitting. You will, too.

OK, so it's a chick flick. It has a good story, some surprises, and a good ending. HOWEVER: I am in this movie! I was paid sixty five dollars and had a great time doing it. You can see me walking on the sidewalk next to Fitgeralds twice. I'm the very large man in a green coat.
Buy it, you will enjoy it.

Slowly working my way through every Billy Bob Thorton film, I came across this sleeper of a comedy. For what it sets out to be, it succeeds wildly, and I recommend this to anyone who likes comedies with a slightly darker twist. It's not earth-shattering, but the acting is terrific, and there are plenty of laughs. Billy Bob Thornton stars as the lovably gruff, stick-his-foot-in-his-mouth sleazy car salesman Lonnie Earl Dodge. He has some great lines at inappropriate times. The other male lead is Patrick Swayze, playing the handsome but rather slow and doofy husband of Charlize Theron. At the major climax of the action, when Billy Bob's and Charlize's philandering is revealed to their spouses, everyone in the room is fighting, but Swayze just "doesn't get it" and completely missed the secret which was revealed. The ending of the movie is absolutely fantastic, and all the loose ends of this foursome's lives get tied up nicely. Give this one a shot!

Best:

1) Much of the redneck dialogue was absolutely hilarious. Some scenes should give any viewer a belly laugh or two.
2) It was wacky and upbeat enough to hold your attention throughout.
3) There are a decent amount of special features including funny director/writer commentaries.

Worst:

1) The sexy scenes weren't all that racy. We get to see Charlize in her underwear and later splashing about in a swimming pool, but that's about it.

Recommendation:

If you like your laughs big, fat and dumb, then you'll probably like this one. There were a few good one-liners that gives this one rewatch value for some. The sex scenes, however, are nothing but tease and may leave you frustrated. Consider paying retail for this one ONLY if you're really into redneck humor and/or Billy Bob Thornton - otherwise get it used for half price or less.