Buffalo '66 (1998)

After being released from prison, Billy is set to visit his parents with his wife, whom he does not actually have. This provokes Billy to act out, as he kidnaps a girl and forces her to act as his wife for the visit.

Director:

Vincent Gallo

Writers:

Vincent Gallo (original story), Vincent Gallo (screenplay)

Stars:

Vincent Gallo, Christina Ricci, Ben Gazzara

6 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vincent Gallo	...	Billy Brown
Christina Ricci	...	Layla
Ben Gazzara	...	Jimmy Brown
Mickey Rourke	...	The Bookie
Rosanna Arquette	...	Wendy Balsam
Jan-Michael Vincent	...	Sonny
Anjelica Huston	...	Jan Brown
Kevin Pollak	...	TV Sportscaster
Alex Karras	...	TV Sportscaster
John Sansone	...	Little Billy
Manny Fried	...	The Donut Clerk
John Rummel	...	Don Shanks
Bob Wahl	...	Scott Woods
Penny Wolfgang	...	The Judge
Anthony Mydcarz	...	The Motel Clerk

Storyline

Billy is released after five years in prison. In the next moment, he kidnaps teenage student Layla and visits his parents with her, pretending she is his girlfriend and they will soon marry (and forcing her to say the same).

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Plot Keywords:

stripper | bathtub | strip club | dysfunctional family | undressing | 

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Taglines:

Billy Brown just got out of jail. Now he's going to serve some real time. He's going home.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, strong violent images and scenes involving nudity

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 June 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Buffalo 66

Filming Locations:

Buffalo, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$39,555, 28 June 1998, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,375,097

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinépix Film Properties (CFP), Lions Gate Films, Muse Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although Lance Acord was widely credited with the film's distinct visual style Vincent Gallo has claimed credit for designing most of the film's cinematography. He also publicly disparaged Acord, saying "This guy had no ideas, no conceptual ideas, no aesthetic point of view."

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Goofs

The bus Billy enters at the beginning has a different color paint job in the close ups and the wide shots. It is silvery in the close up but blue and white in the wide shots.

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Quotes

Billy Brown: I'm gonna step out of the car for one minute. One minute, I'm gonna step out. Put your hands on the dashboard like that. Hold em like that. Don't let me see you move them one finger, not one finger move, not one twitch of a move or I'll come back and choke you to death. I swear to God. I'll take a bite out of your cheek and I'll shit you out.

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Crazy Credits

Tibi Scheflow credited as working as the "Fantastic Locations Manager".

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Connections

References Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

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Soundtracks

Moonchild
Written by Robert Fripp, Ian McDonald, Greg Lake, Michael Giles and Pete Sinfield (as Peter Sinfield)
Performed by King Crimson
Published by Crimson Music/BMG Music Publishing, Ltd.
Courtesy of Caroline Records

User Reviews

Stunning piece by Gallo

After seeing this film for the first time I absolutely loved it! It was only after I purchased it on DVD that I saw in the credits just how much Gallo had to do with this film. He did just about everything major to complete this movie...from the music to the writing credits. Personally, I think that he did a fabulous job and I compliment him highly on this piece of motion picture art.

I tend to take this story on a personal level. I have never been to prison, but I know that I can relate to a lot of what Gallo's character feels about his family. My family life was not too great whilst growing up, but it really put things in perspective for me to see someone who's parents are that oblivious to their son's most basic needs.

Some of the scenes may seem absurd and extreme as far as the obliviousness of the parents, but in a sense I think that is what Gallo was trying to get across to the viewing audience. This factor makes it all the more pertinent as to why Gallo's character is the way he is. To me this film is a reflection of an individual's life who has nothing to lose and yet so much to gain. Everything from the cold and gloomy atmosphere during the first half of the film to Gallo's character's pessimistic demeanor and repetitiveness of phrases only emphasize the aura of his life-long frustration and contempt for the world while revealing his desperate and longing need to find something tangible for once in his life...something that he apparently never had and that he thankfully finds in the confidence of Ricci's character.

I could go on and on and on about how much this film meant to me and how beautifully directed, written and acted out this piece of work is, especially in the end since I have had thoughts and have considered and contemplated such things in the past. I admit that the height of the film's end freaked me out for a few moments, but left me feeling overwhelmed with relief and joy during the final concluding moments.

To sum up: You HAVE TO watch this film. Period.