Viva Las Nowhere

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.