Viva Las Nowhere (2001)

The life of motel owner is turned upside down by a femme-fatale lounge singer and her abusive manager.

Director:

Jason Bloom

Writers:

Richard Uhlig, Steve Seitz

Stars:

Daniel Stern, James Caan, Patricia Richardson

1 win.

Cast

Credited cast:
Daniel Stern	...	Frank Jacobs
James Caan	...	Roy Baker
Patricia Richardson	...	Helen / Wanda
Lacey Kohl	...	Julie Mitchell
Sherry Stringfield	...	Marguerite
Larry Reese	...	Merle
Andy Maton	...	Ed Babbit
Shaun Johnston	...	Sheriff
Tim Abell	...	Merle
Daren Christofferson	...	Trooper #1
Skerivet Daramola	...	Surveyor
Taylor Pardell	...	Shawna Babbit
Carrie Schiffler	...	Gracie
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Don Bland	...	Trooper #2
Freddie Childress	...	Tattooed Prisoner

Storyline

Somewhere in Kansas, Frank operates the Middle O'America Motel and dreams of opening a club where he'll sing his country songs. His wife Helen is disparaging, so when a scheming chanteuse is dumped by her loutish husband on Frank's front door, Frank is bewitched. In short order, though, the visitor (Julie) has dispatched Helen, set in motion a con for Frank's money, called her husband to come get her, and taken Frank's army buddy (just arrived for a visit) into the bathtub for some fun. Soon Frank is in over his head, just as Helen's twin sister comes for a visit and Julie's husband arrives looking for his wife. Is there any way out of this situation (and out of Kansas) for Frank?

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Plot Keywords:

motel | country music | fatal accident | independent film

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexuality

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 June 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dead Simple

Filming Locations:

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Franchise Pictures, Minds Eye Entertainment, Samaha Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Stayed up until 1:10 a.m. to watch this to conclusion!

I caught this as Viva Las Nowhere, just browsing thru the channels prior to going to bed around midnight, and as soon as I saw James Caan in his long, shoulder-length hair singing (!) country-western (!) I was hooked. The movie didn't let me down: funny, suspenseful, over-acted at times, yet intriguing all the way through.

Since I'm from Kansas originally, I thought the scenes of the countryside were hilarious, and I'm disappointed that it was really filmed in Calgary.

Also, being from Kansas, I knew that it was impossible to be actually filmed at the geographic center of the U.S. (up in north-eastern Kansas) since that's a national marker, but I was hoping that at least the wheat fields were in Kansas somewhere close. But notwithstanding the film location, I heartily recommend this film to someone looking to stay up past their bed-time.