Crazy Like a Fox (2004)

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Director:

Richard Squires

Writer:

Richard Squires (writer)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy

Plot:

This is the story of Nat Banks, an 8th generation Virginian gentleman farmer living in the past, who loses his family farm...

Plot Keywords:

Loan Default | Mortgage | Mortgage Debt | Southern Culture | Bank Foreclosure

Cast

Roger Rees	...	Nat Banks
Mary McDonnell	...	Amy Banks
Chloe Squires	...	Claudia Banks
Cody Wisker	...	Turner Banks
Mark Joy	...	John Randolph
Paul Fitzgerald	...	Will Sherman
Christina Rouner	...	Ellie Sherman
Myrrh Cauthen	...	Mary Johnson
Howard Coon	...	Tick Bean
Robert Wisdom	...	Roy Fowler
Tom Bloom	...	Alden Chase
Sarah Marshall	...	Mabel
Bill Thomas	...	Tom Johnson
Al Jirlkowic	...	Bartender
Marty Lodge	...	Pinky Rust

Also Known As:

The Goose Creek Story (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language. (pending appeal)

Runtime:

USA:98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:PG-13

Company:

Delphi Film Foundation

Quotes:

Claudia Banks: Why didn't dad come with us, mom?
Amy Banks: He's staying on at Greenwood for a while
Claudia Banks: I thought we just left Greenwood...?
Amy Banks: I know sweetie, but he's staying on.
Claudia Banks: Till when?
Amy Banks: We're stil working that out.
Turner Banks: How com dad gets to stay at Greenwood and we don't?
Claudia Banks: Are you and dad...?
Amy Banks: Eat your pizza, Claudia.
Turner Banks: Are you and dad getting divorced?
[...]

A small southern town shows that it's possible to fight back.

I loved this movie. I live in an area where the surrounding countryside is being eaten up by fast-growing townhouse communities and their accompanying shopping malls, and where most of the local legislators are too busy slurping at the real estate developers' trough to take any notice of the fast-fading farmland. Crazy Like a Fox shows what happens when neighbors unite to help one of their friends, played wonderfully by Roger Rees. Rees, who mistrusts everyone including his own wife and his good friend the real estate agent , fights back against the forced sale of his estate by moving to a cave on the property. Somehow, Rees manages to make that bizarre action seem like the only rational choice.

Christina Rouner and Paul Fitzgerald, as the wealthy city lawyers who are clearly looking to make even bigger bucks in real estate investments, are terrific. Not only do they look the part -- young, attractive, well-dressed -- but they are both able to convey the subtle signs of "I'm- ever- so- much- better- than- you- are-ism" without forcing the issue. And Howard Koons (in what I gather must be his first movie role) is absolutely wonderful as the hired hand, lack of teeth and all.

Right up there with the acting is the photography. It is achingly beautiful, capturing the Virginia countryside in all its glory. The score, written by the director, is perfect.

Even if your town isn't (yet) threatened by developers, Crazy Like a Fox should still be on your list. This is a thoughtful, beautiful and sometimes very funny movie you'll think about long after the last credit has faded from view.