Love and a .45

Some lazy and uninformed Critics and Reviewers can't help themselves and immediately lash out at this Movie's similarity to others Directed by Tarantino, Rodriguez, Stone, and Lynch. Truth of the Matter is that when Films are so near in release dates it is unfair and somewhat inaccurate to claim thievery.

It is more likely and a bit Metaphysical that these Creative Folks were all tapping into that Akashic Record thing or what may be called the Hundred Monkey Theory. Whatever. This is a very good, Fun-Frolic Road Movie with White Trash Anti-Heroes and a Kick-Ass Soundtrack. More quirky characters than have a right to exist in any one Movie and some Witty Banter that makes it all quite a Rolicking Ride.

It is over the top, around the bend, down the rabbit hole and off into outer space. Nutzoid and Naughty, Dirty and Delightful, with a Cast that cries out Cult Movie. It is proudly self-conscious, Violent, and Funny enough for it to become part of the Zeitgeist that was working in its Day and can not be ignored. This one will do nothing but gain Reputation and Admiration acquiring more Fans every Year.

It was an easy thing to miss and dismiss this in the Mid-Nineties but if nothing else, the Success of Renee Zellweger will have the curious seeking this one out as a Career Starter and while she is a standout here, this Movie has more to offer and does so with layers of interest far beyond anything as shallow as Star Power. It gets its energy from a Chemical Compound and a Cultural Milieu that is forever Fascinating.

I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised by this film. All I'd heard prior to seeing it was that it featured the world's first celluloid skull tattoo (it does, but that's another story). After seeing it, I highly recommend it to fans of the crime/road trip genre.

Gil Bellows and Renee Zellweger are Texas lovers in trouble with the law after killing some cops after him for a robbery/murder. Rory Cochrane, as his crazed ex-partner, follows the two to Mexico. The trip south of the border comprises most of the movie, and what a trip it is. Co-starring are Jeffrey Combs, excellent in a non-horror role, and Peter Fonda as --what else?-- a burn-out. The mostly rockabilly soundtrack is very good.

If you want to see a movie that has no reason for being.... you'll enjoy this. If you want to criticize a movie for looking like Reservoir Dogs or whatever...dont get this one. It's a very good film and the acting is great. But take it for what it is...A MOVIE! This was Rene's last Indy film before taking off with Jerry Maguire and the film is just fun. Dont dig deep in it...just enjoy it. The DP was aweful and the lighting is bad at times but that adds to the film.

After seeing this movie again today and thinking back at the time when i first watch it on VHS back in 95 ,do i realize it is part guilty of me wanted to try out dope for the first time!!(gladly kicked that habit). This is a classic road movie with the right Tarrantino feel . Its about two sweethearts on the run from the law & some creepy speed freaks after the two companions Watty Watts(Gill Bellows)and Billy Mack Black(Rory Cochrane) attending in a robbery gone bad. Good entertainment and good Texacan dialogs . It clearly an underestimated movie that should get much more credit that it has received . This is also one of Renée Zellweger first major movie role.

Writer / director C.M. Talkington doesn't go about trying to reinvent the wheel when it comes to "lovers on the lam" cinema. He merely tells a decent, straightforward story (albeit with some pretentious narration), with the usual amount of sex and violence, as well as humour, style, and some irreverence. The main hook is that the couple at the centre of this tale are not inherently vicious, violent people; they merely resort to it when forced into a corner.

Hell, our main protagonist, "Watty" Watts (handsome Gil Bellows) is a veteran robber who regularly uses guns that AREN'T loaded, in an effort to avoid bloodshed. But he has a problem because he still associates with a fellow ex-con named Billy Mack (a memorable Rory Cochrane), an utter psychopath with an itchy trigger finger. They attempt a robbery, it goes bad, and "Watty" flees with his gal Starlene (the enchanting Renee Zellweger); Billy, a pair of loan sharks (Jeffrey Combs, Jace Alexander), and the law pursue them.

"Love and a .45" is an amusing, visceral modern crime thriller with some fun touches. It acknowledges the debt that all movies of its kind owe to the granddaddy of them all, "Bonnie and Clyde". It also seems influenced by Tarantino, but in truth this was filmed *before* "Natural Born Killers", to which people often compare this one. It wouldn't work quite as well if we didn't like the two main characters to some degree, and "Watty" and Starlene make for a pretty engaging coouple. Granted, he does get annoyed with her towards the end, since it's clear she's enjoying her status as a "celebrity", and sometimes courts trouble.

The whole cast is great in this thing; it's too bad that Bellows and Cochrane never became bigger stars (of course, we all know that Zellweger went on to bigger things). They're supported by a variety of familiar faces. Peter Fonda is a hoot, well cast as a modern hippie who now has to speak using one of those voice generators. Michael Bowen, Jack Nance, Ann Wedgeworth, Wiley Wiggins, and Charlotte Ross round out the cast. It's particularly fun to see Combs outside the horror genre and delivering a flamboyant, priceless performance.

Aided and abetted by its soundtrack, "Love and a .45" is worth a look for those movie lovers who seek out efforts like this that never quite got their due.

Seven out of 10.