Happy, Texas | | Cast : | Steve Zahn, Jeremy Northam, William H. Macy, Ally Walker | | Director : | Mark Illsley | | Studio : | Miramax Home Entertainment | | Format : | Color, Widescreen, Dolby | | Released Date : | January 01, 1999 | | DVD Released Date : | May 31, 2005 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), English (Original Language), French (Original Language), Spanish (Subtitled) | | Audience Rating : | PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | May 06, 2005 | | Summary | This Movie Is A Gem!!! (And Ms. Walker Is HOT TOO!!!) | Content
 | This movie is about two criminals who have escaped from a Chain Gang and steal an RV and find themselves in the small town of Happy , Texas. They then assume the identities of the RV's owners and discover that they are supposed to be gay!!!This premise makes for some very entertaining and funny moments with wonderful performances by Steve Zahn and William H. Macy who plays the town's Sherrif with a secret and who is fast becoming one of Hollywood's most sought after actors. This movie also stars the ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS Ally Walker who is known for her television series Profiler.This movie is a real gem and if you find it at your Video Store do yourself a big favour and hire it. |
| Rating | | | Date | April 13, 2005 | | Summary | Never straight; gaily forward. | Content
| Two small time criminals escape a chain gang highway clean up crew and steal an RV, which promptly breaks down. When they are found by a small town sheriff they fear the worst, until they realize the officer, and the town, have mistaken them for the vehicle's owners; a couple (in more ways than business) of beauty pageant coordinators they have hired to turn their young ladies into the next "Little Miss Fresh Squeezed Pre-Teen." With an eye on the yearly harvest money about to hit the local bank, the escapees turn flamboyant pros to pull a flaming con.
This is an adorable, fantastic, off the wall comedy with a fruity twist to the mistaken identity theme. A phenomenal script with excellent dialogue. An absolutely outstanding cast. Steve Zahn is insane in the best possible way. Jeremy Northam is subtley superb. William H. Macy is simply brilliant. Looking to laugh to the beat of a different drummer? Visit "Happy, Texas."
Favorite Line(s): "State prisons are leakin' like a macrame diaphragm."
"Give me the meanest steak ya got rare, and I mean rare, just dehorn it, wipe its butt and send it in." |
| Rating | | | Date | March 03, 2005 | | Summary | Steve Zahn is at his best | Content
| Hilarious comedy about a couple of convicts, Jeremy Northam (Gosford Park, Mimic) and Steve Zahn (Joy Ride, Suburbia) who break out with another convict, M.C. Gainey (Wonderland, Con Air). The 2 knucklhead criminals pose as two gay guys in the small town of Happy, Texas to try and rob a bank and they soon find out that the 2 they are impersonating are pageant show directors for little kids. The 2 fall for 2 women though they have to act gay. Northam falls for Ally Walker (Universal Soldier, Tv's Profiler) and Zahn falls for the kids teacher, Illeana Douglas (Stir Of Echoes, Message In A Bottle). Meanwhile, Northam is being hit on by Sheriff William H. Macy..also known as Pappy. The guys fellow break out convict, Gainey returns for his fair share of the money. A funny comedy fueled by Steve Zahn's standout performance as Wayne Wayne Wayne Jr. Add another Wayne and that'd be 4 Wayne's. Alo starring Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Enemy At The Gates). Best scenes are all with Zahn...especially the scene when a convict pisses the hell out of him. |
| Rating | | | Date | January 02, 2005 | | Summary | Original, well-done and definitely worth checking out! | Content
| I didn't expect much from this movie after reading the synopsis. I was very pleasantly surprised, however. It is a well-written comic farce, with a great script and a first-rate cast. Along with the inventive and very funny script, there is even a touch of pathos. It was made on a low budget, but it has a slick look that belies its modest origins. This is a captivating film that you will love. I did. |
| Rating | | | Date | September 07, 2004 | | Summary | HAPPILY EVER AFTER | Content
| HAPPY, TEXAS is a delightful film, earnestly and honestly directed by Mark Illsley and acted with professional finesse by a talented cast.
Jeremy Northam, who usually plays stuff-shirt gents (Mimic, Gosford Park) stars as Harry Sawyer, and Steve Zahn, who is proving to be a marvelous comic actor, plays Wayne Wayne Jr., two small time cons who escape from a chain gang. They end up stealing an RV which is owned by two gay pageant directors, who are delighted to have it stolen. They head off for an island getaway, waiting to report the stolen RV after the insurance rates go up. The boys end up in Happy, Texas, where they are greeted by the townspeople who hope that their expertise will help them to the state finals. Zahn is shocked when he discovers the contestants are little 5 year old girls. Northam and Zahn go along with the ruse so they can rob the local bank. But, wait...Northam finds himself falling for the bank's manager, played joyously by Ally Walker. Zahn meanwhile is falling for the pageant's local director, Ileana Douglas. Next thing you know, Zahn is making outfits for the girls, and Northam doesn't want to rob the bank anymore. And if this weren't enough, the town's sheriff, played to the hilt by William H. Macy, comes out of the closet and admits his attraction to Northam. They go out on a date at a Dallas gay bar, where they dance their little feet off.
What distinugishes this movie, however, is the direction that takes a humanistic, straightforward approach. When Northam rejects Macy later, it's a poignant and touching scene. Macy is brilliant in this role, and it is his honest performance that keeps his feelings for Northam real and honest, and not slapstick or comic. Throw in Ron Perlman in a small supporting role, and you have a movie of rare honesty and emotion.
A hit at the Sundance Festival, it should've done better in release, but at least you can get it on DVD and relish in its
power. |
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