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:

dysfunctional family | posing as someone's girlfriend | prison | written and directed by cast member | tap dancing | 

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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

Kevin Corrigan originally turned down the role of Goon because he was uncomfortable with it. He later changed his mind and asked for the role back. Gallo had hired another actor to play the role but fired him and re-hired Corrigan. After filming, Corrigan was still uncomfortable with his performance and asked to be uncredited.

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Goofs

When Layla does her tap dance in the bowling alley, several of the tap hits on the soundtrack do not match her foot movements at all.

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Quotes

Janet "Jan" Brown: Honey, where's the Billy picture?

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Crazy Credits

Rachel Kregal credited as working as "The Best Set Costumer".

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Connections

References La Strada (1954)

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Soundtracks

Sixteen Seconds Happy
Written & Performed by Vincent Gallo

User Reviews

A Surprisingly Outstanding Story and Film

"Buffalo '66" is a different kind of low budget film. It is the kind of film that most high budget films should attempt to emulate!

Tons of congratulations to Vincent Gallo. He wrote the story and screen play, directed the film, and was the main star. People are always told to write what they know something about. It is true. Vincent wrote about Buffalo, New York, where he was born and raised. He even used the same house he grew up in as well as local places in Buffalo for his scenic backgrounds. I hear that the budget for this film was only $1.5 million dollars. It proves that a good story with good writing and actors who are intensely dedicated to their craft can surpass even the most expensive movie that is lacking in telling a meaningful story.

I won't retell the story as enough has already been written about it. Vincent Gallo did a great job in his role as Billy Brown. Christina Ricci plays a wonderful low-keyed costarring role as Layla. I was pleasantly surprised to see Rosanna Arquette appear in a small role as Billy Brown's school heartthrob, Wendy Balsam. Look for her to appear in the scene at Denny's Restaurant. Anjelica Huston was wonderful as the disinterested mother, Jan Brown, who seems to have spent her life adoring the Buffalo Bills football team instead of being a loving mother. Ben Gazzara played his mean and overbearing father, Jimmy Brown.

One actor who should have received film credit is Billy's only friend, Rocky the Goon played by Kevin Corrigan. Kevin was excellent in his role. Other notable surprises in this film are appearances by Mickey Rourke, Jan-Michael Vincent, Kevin Pollak, and Alex Karras. A number of small role performers seem to be local Buffalo citizens doing small one-liner parts as the film progresses around the City of Buffalo. A good move on director Vincent Gallo's part because using local citizens in speaking roles assures that the script is believable and natural.

Regardless of the comments Vincent Gallo made about himself in his trivia section of his Internet Movie Database I think he deserves credit for bringing this film to the attention of the movie world. I would hope that Roger Ebert selects this film for one of his Overlooked Film Festival viewings. The film is that good.