Nobody's Baby (2001)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

David Seltzer

Writer (WGA):

David Seltzer (written by)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film

Cast

Skeet Ulrich	...	Billy Raedeen
Gary Oldman	...	Buford Dill
Radha Mitchell	...	Shauna Louise
Mary Steenburgen	...	Estelle
Gordon Tootoosis	...	Dog Havasu
Anna Gunn	...	Stormy
Peter Greene	...	Vern
Elaina Merkey	...	Baby Loozy
Emily Merkey	...	Baby Loozy
Cory Dangerfield	...	Billy's Father
Bob Eric Hart	...	Judge
George Sullivan	...	Bailiff
Patrick Shining Elk	...	Paiute Indian
Charles Gruber	...	Driver in Crash
Sean Kane	...	Cactus Pie Bartender

Also Known As:

Anasazi Moon (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some violence and nudity.

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Spain:18 | Iceland:LH | USA:R (Certificate #37090)

Filming Locations:

Moab, Utah, USA

Company:

Cinerenta Medienbeteiligungs KG

Trivia:

While filming, Gary Oldman spent a lot of time with the twin girls playing the baby. He admitted to being homesick for his own children, so he gave the girls a "cuddle or a squeeze" whenever he could.

Quotes:

[burying Verne]
Billy Raedeen: You wanna say something?
Buford Dill: Well, I just wanna say that... as this soul leaves this Earth... I feel sorry for whoever gets it.

Soundtrack:

Jaybird

Lip balm

It was a real surprise to discover this film, that obviously went to video before it could have a theatrical release, or so it seems. David Seltzer's film deserved much better fate because it is a comedy with its heart in the right place.

How did this director/screen writer assemble this cast? The first thing that amazes is a Gary Oldman as we haven't seen him before. In fact, it takes a while to realize he is Buford! This actor is a chameleon as he shows in picture after picture. Buford depends on ChapSticks to relieve jean burns and never hesitates to borrow a tube from anyone at all!

The film shows the bond between Buford, the older convict, and Billy Raedeen, who met as children in an orphanage. Their friendship is something real, no matter where they might go, they'll be there for one another.

Skeet Ulrich's Billy was a role he was meant to play. Mr. Ulrich knows this guy and he gets a reprieve to make something out of his life when, by chance, he finds a baby in an automobile wreckage. This little baby will change his destiny, as Billy finds an extended family in the Nevada desert among misfits that welcome him into their little community.

Gary Oldman has one of the best moments of his career as Buford, the man who seems to be in permanent fog. He runs away with his role in a splashy performance. We get at the end a display of Mr. Oldman and Mary Steenburgen line dancing where both shine as gracious partners.

Radha Mitchell, Mary Steenburgen, Gordon Tootoosis, Anna Gunn, and the rest, make a great contribution to the film, under the tight direction of David Seltzer.