Waking Up in Reno (2002)

A romantic comedy about two trashy couples traveling to Reno to see a monster truck show.

Director:

Jordan Brady

Writers:

Brent Briscoe, Mark Fauser

Stars:

Natasha Richardson, Billy Bob Thornton, Patrick Swayze

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Natasha Richardson	...	Darlene Dodd
Holmes Osborne	...	Doc Tuley
Billy Bob Thornton	...	Lonnie Earl Dodd
Patrick Swayze	...	Roy Kirkendall
Charlize Theron	...	Candy Kirkendall
Billy O'Sullivan	...	Lonnie Earl III
Galvin Chapman	...	Lane Dodd
Kelsey Chapman	...	Lacy Dodd
Cleo King	...	June
Chelcie Ross	...	Fred Bush
Brent Briscoe	...	Russell Whitehead
Mark Fauser	...	Boyd
Aszue Wilson	...	Mini-Mart Cashier
Hody Porterfield	...	Hodie at the Big Texan
Jo Harvey Allen	...	Waitress at Big Texan

Storyline

Roy & Candy and Lonnie Earl & Darlene are two married couples who thought they knew one another, until they decided to take their dream vacation together. Hitting the road in a brand-new SUV, they're having the time of their lives until something funny happens on the way to the Monster Truck Show in Reno. Turns out Lonnie Earl has a thing for Candy, and when evidence of this starts to surface, things really start to heat up.

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Plot Keywords:

monster truck | married couple | fertility test | singing in a car | troubled marriage | 

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Taglines:

They're four close friends. Some closer than others.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 December 2002 (Turkey)

Also Known As:

Acordar em Reno

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$108,930 (USA) (25 October 2002)

Gross:

$261,603 (USA) (15 November 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Crossfire Sound & Pictures, Miramax Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were both at one time attached to star in this, but dropped out prior to filming.

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Goofs

When the group begins driving from Arkansas to Reno, they are seen near an exit sign for De Valls Bluff and Biscoe, Arkansas. This exit sign is on I-40 east almost halfway between Little Rock and Memphis, thus they were heading in the wrong direction for Reno.

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Quotes

Donnie Earl: [in the convenient store] Yeah, ya just pile it on up here. Ole Lonnie Earl's got plenty of money. Yeah, I'm Mister Deep Pockets. Go ahead, Roy, put it on up here. Anybody else in here want me to buy them something?

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Connections

References Jeopardy! (1984)

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Soundtracks

"Hey Pachuco"
Written by Eddie Nichols, Mando Dorame (as David Dorame) and James Achor
Performed by Royal Crown Revue
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

"She's On Her Deal, Y'Know?"

WAKING UP IN RENO (3 outta 5 stars) Dubbed by the filmmakers as "a redneck 'Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice'", this is an enjoyable little movie... very funny at times but also treating its characters as real people with real emotions. Billy Bob Thornton is Lonnie Earl, a used car salesman married to Darlene (Natasha Richardson) but who has had a recent fling with her best friend Candy (Charlize Theron). Candy's husband Roy (Patrick Swayze) is desperately trying to get his wife pregnant but suspects his sperm may not be working. While on a vacation in Reno to renew their wedding vows, the foursome's relationship comes to a head when Roy's non-existent sperm count is confirmed the same day as his wife's pregnancy and everyone notices Lonnie Earl's shifty eyes upon hearing the news. While amusing and likable, the movie isn't quite as good as it could have been... and it often seems to be setting up future situations (like a suddenly-ignored attraction between Roy and Darlene) that never come to fruition. (I was expecting much hilarity from a scene of Lonnie Earl's attempt at eating a 72 ounce steak in one hour... but the scene winds up being mostly uneventful.) The actors do a great job though... particularly Thornton, whose skill at blurting out totally insensitive and inappropriate lines is unsurpassed, i.e. "She's on her deal, y'know?" And I will take any excuse to see the lovely Mrs. Liam Neeson (Natasha Richardson) on screen!