Films Outside the Loop Jeanne Chappé

This film was written and directed by Steven Baigelman and I commend him on his lack of predictability. It is an extremely dark comedy with macabre twists and turns.

Perhaps this is the literal "Runaway Bride" as this movie begins with Freddie (Cameron Diaz) running down the railroad tracks being chased by a car full of evil men. She is suspected of stealing $10,000 from Sam Clayton (Vincent D'Onofrio) or Red (who is black). I wasn't quite clear about where the money went until later. Freddie is Sam's reward and Sam is Freddie's punishment! She will marry Sam at the world's tackiest wedding. Wait until you see their wedding cake and hear the world's worst wedding singer. Sam's brother arrives to attend the wedding and then consummates the ceremony with the bride in the upstairs bathroom! Keanu Reeves plays Sam's brother, Jjaks Clayton. The spelling of his first name resulted from typos on his birth certificate.

Freddie takes off with Jjaks along with her dream of being a dancer in Las Vegas. Sam follows them. Sam and Jjaks have been very competitive throughout their lives (vicious rock, paper, scissors). Sharing a wife with Jjaks does not sit well with Sam.

There are a number of amazing cameo appearances in this film. Tuesday Weld is creepy as Sam and Jjak's mother. Courtney Love is fascinating as Rhonda, the waitress. Dan Ackroyd plays a sheriff who sounds like he is from Fargo and Delroy Lindo plays "Red". Don't forget Levon Helm ("The Band") as the bible salesman.

Freddie talks Jjaks into going back for the 'big' money. I loved the convoluted logic of Freddie's claim for half of Sam's money. Sam then does a 'Mike Tyson' on Jjaks. Much blood and part of an ear missing but this doesn't stop Jjaks. A dead Freddie does stop Jjaks for a short bit of time. He takes a nap and then buries her.

Cameron Diaz is the current queen of black comedy ("The Last Supper" is another good example). Keanu Reeves plays Jjaks to perfection but Vincent D'Onofrio literally steals this movie.

This film's soundtrack is excellent!

I totally LOVE stupid criminals.....

Runtime: 1:39

This film is available on DVD, VHS, cable or satellite.

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