Viva Las Nowhere (2001) User Reviews

pretty good black comedy

[rupie · 7/10 · 7 November 2001]

I was attracted to this movie on the theory that certain good actors have a knack for avoiding dreck and choosing good material. This has been true, in my book, for James Caan, an excellent and underrated performer. The movie - in my video store under the title 'Dead Simple' - proved to be an above average black comedy that draws the viewer into a web of more and more complicated deceit, murder, manslaughter and treachery. Also practically worth the price of the rental alone is the delicious Lacey Kohl in the bimbo role, a most alluring piece of eye candy. And Caan's Willy-Nelson-style tonsorial garb is a sight to behold. This overlooked movie is well worth renting.

"Fargo" comes to Kansas ..........

[merklekranz · 7/10 · 26 December 2010]

Daniel Stern carries this "black comedy" as a likable, sympathetic, wannabe country and western singer. Unfortunately he is stuck in the middle of nowhere, running a tacky motel, with his shrewish, bible thumper wife. Various characters, all of which are well developed, become involved in murder, with plenty of dark comedy throughout. The best part about "Dead Simple" is the acting by Daniel Stern, James Caan and Patricia Richardson, and the "Fargo"-like script. The movie is both unpredictable and highly entertaining. If you like dark comedies such as "Clay Pigeons" or "A Simple Plan", then this is worth checking out. Recommended of its type. - MERK

Almost ... a great movie

[benier · 3/10 · 28 January 2005]

The variables for a Coen-like classic were all in place:

A remote location. Eccentric, aloof, clueless people. Deft performances by Patricia Richardson and Jimmy Caan. In fact, there was so much good stuff going on in the first hour that you didn't really mind that a New York Jew would end up in Kansas singing folk songs (can you say: Bob Dylan?). Unfortunately, the stories start to meander hopelessly in the second act. The most interesting characters are killed off - although in a superbly comical way - and we are left with random schlock throughout.

Gone from the film are Lacey Kohl as a wayward, talented bohemian singer, Tim Abell as "Merle" a former marine and Patricia Richardson's better half, "Helen" ... We have to endure a morose slapstick-theatre where all promises made in the first act are left unfulfilled. Even the "where-are-they-now" comic-vignettes during the end credits cannot salvage the mess left in its wake.

Somehow there is a fine line between "Dark Comedy" and "Darn Stupid" and methinks the director's personal arrogance has blinded him to this demarcation. Hopefully, there is another "Bio Dome" in the future for Mr. Bloom.

unfunny and pathetic attempt at a coen style film.

[lilgorgo · 1/10 · 22 May 2003]

this movie plays out like a moronic half-assed combination of surface level tropes aped from better movies like blood simple and Fargo and then slathered in country music, with none of the style or substance provided by the coen brothers. terrible script, terrible acting, ridiculous plot... bad all around. the music is bad, the lip syncing is horrible. the second girl who ends up "singing" the main characters songs looks like shes having a seizure during the scene when she wows us with her amazing voice. sweet lord i hated this movie. avoid at all costs unless you are morbidly curious about the kind of trainwreck that results when the director of bio-dome thinks he can make a real movie.

What a cool little film.

[brian_robart · 10/10 · 23 October 2002]

This is one of those films I can easily watch over and over again. I say this because I have watched it over and over again. A great cast of interesting characters. A delightfully funny film. I have recommended it to everyone I know.

Fantastic, unpredictable, original

[pallasma · 8/10 · 27 September 2001]

I saw this film at the Calgary International Film Festival. I have to admit, it was not high on my list when I looked at the other films that were being shown. I was pleasantly surprised. The story is not complex, but it is unpredictable. The cinematography is wonderful and the acting is good - except for a couple of scenes. It was a very funny film, definitely worth seeing.

Feels more like a European film made in America

[RobertMorganAU · 8/10 · 5 August 2005]

Viva may disappoint those viewers expecting the usual movie formula that builds steadily to a finish of climax/crisis/closure/resolution etc. If you enjoy a more European style of story + ambiance, with less reliance on a last-minute closure piece, then you'll likely find great enjoyment in Viva. I rate it way above the 5.8 that it's currently averaging, and I've noticed that a good many movies of a similar genre lose out by voters confused and trying to "get to the point" of the movie (there isn't one). It's not sharp, incisive, nor ground-breaking, and the real gems are the great character roles, the meandering story, with moments of great visual splendor or visual poetry, if that makes sense. Very enjoyable film for this viewer.

Stayed up until 1:10 a.m. to watch this to conclusion!

[mhorrell · 8/10 · 26 July 2009]

I caught this as Viva Las Nowhere, just browsing thru the channels prior to going to bed around midnight, and as soon as I saw James Caan in his long, shoulder-length hair singing (!) country-western (!) I was hooked. The movie didn't let me down: funny, suspenseful, over-acted at times, yet intriguing all the way through.

Since I'm from Kansas originally, I thought the scenes of the countryside were hilarious, and I'm disappointed that it was really filmed in Calgary.

Also, being from Kansas, I knew that it was impossible to be actually filmed at the geographic center of the U.S. (up in north-eastern Kansas) since that's a national marker, but I was hoping that at least the wheat fields were in Kansas somewhere close. But notwithstanding the film location, I heartily recommend this film to someone looking to stay up past their bed-time.