Out of Omaha (2007)

User Rating:

3.4/10   

Director:

Linda Voorhees

Writer (WGA):

Linda Voorhees (written by)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

In the R.V. On the road. Can't get out of town.

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Playing Footsie

Cast

Dave Foley	...	Stu Gainor
Lea Thompson	...	Ginger Gainor
Vicki Lewis	...	Teensie Porter
Ethan Phillips	...	Wayne Porter
Patricia Richardson	...	Aunt Bonnie
Lindsay Seim	...	Cookie Gainor
Melissa Jarecke	...	Granny Gainor
Nicholas Fackler	...	Kevin Porter (as Nik Fackler)
David Kalis	...	Milo Gainor
Myra Turley	...	Irene
Tom Wees	...	Officer Delaney (as Thomas Wees)
Patricia Bethune	...	Meg
Tracy Iwersen	...	Security Officer Bernie
Azadeh Zoghi	...	Dr. Bahri
Ryan Langdon	...	Lindsay

Also Known As:

California Dreaming (USA) (new title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for language, sensuality, mild drug references and smoking.

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

USA:PG | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Company:

NoHo Production Company

Trivia:

Springfield Nebraska's Platteview High School Forensics class got to meet the main stars and the crew while being extras in the movie. They learned about the behind the scenes stuff as well as being in the movie itself. Ms. Anderson took these kids to the shoot: David Harshbarger, Matt Lott, Emily Christine, Daniel Balkovic, Amber Frieze, Autumn Spurck, Joe Daly, Cody Mahoney, and Mike Foresmen.

Soundtrack:

Jump the Moon

Deeply flawed but fascinating...

I love films about family dynamics and lost dreams, so California Dreaming (aka Out of Omaha) seemed like a winner. With engaging actors including charismatic "News Radio" alums Dave Foley, the thinking man's comedy icon, and wacky Vicki Lewis; the wonderful Patricia Richardson, winsome and lovable Lea Thompson, and the under-appreciated Ethan Phillips, how could this comedy go wrong?

Incredibly, in so many ways, it's difficult to count. The worst performance of her career, and one that almost broke my heart, was the strange and almost surreal work of Patricia Richardson. In one inappropriate moment after another, she reluctantly chews up the scenery, making me want to disgorge it myself. Tragically, she sort of spoils every scene she's in, and since she intrudes upon the action more and more as the story lurches forward, the film doesn't so much end as screech to a merciful halt.

I kept asking myself, how did these wonderful, wonderful actors get involved in such a mess of a film? The real problem is the script, which forces the cast into doing and saying the most ridiculous and unmotivated things that one can only sit, jaw agape, and wonder what in the world is going on here. Technically, the film looks and sounds quite good, though devoid of any cinematic mercy; the camera lingers on every tiny imperfection in the faces of its aging cast. Other than that, I can't bring myself to list the many offenses against craft, so let's just say avoid this (with the caveat below) and keep your good memories of these actors and wish them well on their next outing. It can only get better from here.

But the buck stops at the directors chair, and that brings up a host of issues. As a director, you have an obligation to keep your actors from making fools of themselves. I wonder if this director learned that lesson in the end. I would hate to be in her shoes right now. How will she ever get another gig? Will she even want to? Maybe there's a film there about lost dreams. (But perhaps someone else should make it.) I just hope that enough people stay away from this film long enough for its cast to resume their careers with a minimum of disruption.

I give the film a 4/10 for its "reality bites" educational value.