Rating: 
Summary: Happy, Texas
Review: The set-up of two straight guys playing gay is so old now that it even pops up on sitcom TV (i.e. Fraiser) on a regular basis. This film starts with that premise and manages to play it with humor and intelligence most of the way through.The "pre-teen beauty pageant" idea is brilliant but, unfortunately, results in the movie's weakest and silliest scenes (those involving the children). William H. Macey is certainly the stand out in this movie. His performance is well worth watching. Although I certainly think this movie is worth the price of admission or rental, I don't think it is worth buying. It is a good film, but not probably one you'd want to watch a number of times.
Rating: 
Summary: No cheap shots here!
Review: I was reluctant to see this movie--I expected gay jokes, slams against Southerners, and criminals who get away with crimes just because they're the heroes of a modern-day movie. But the writer, Ed Stone, is clearly much smarter than all of that, and so is Happy, Texas. I saw it once, HAD to get my husband to see it, then he, who has an even more critical eye than I do, insisted we take our friends to see it the NEXT week, and now we've just bought it again on DVD. We can't get enough of it. It's as hilarious as The Pink Panther and as intelligent as Shawshank Redemption. See it, see it, see it!
Rating:
Summary: Producers' Real Life Story as Great as Fiction
Review: "Two aspiring novice writers/directors go to Sundance Film Festival and become inspired to make their own movie for a future festival. They do and it is highly received. Miramax buys it and releases it to critical acclaim in theaters and on DVD." This plot sketch, the actual story of how director Mark Illsley and writer/producer Ed Stone triumphed in their project, "Happy, Texas," is at least as interesting as the actual movie plot. You get both stories in this excellent DVD release: the bonus features, including director commentary, alternate takes, making of..., videos and more are well worth the extra price of this loaded DVD. If you want to learn how fire-in-the-belly untested movie makers make their dream come true, then this is it: a film to remember, especially since you will feel you were there during the shooting (because of the inside information about the production). On another note, one has to admire William H. Macy, currently hot in films and able to command high salary, who was, nevertheless, willing to sign on to a 28-day, independent movie shoot at scant pay, portraying a 300-pound Texas lawman. Macy almost steals the show from the entire group of solid performers. See this movie on DVD. It will make you "happy."
Rating:
Summary: Some Like It Hot in Texas!
Review: A late 1990s indie twist on the classic Billy Wilder movie featuring Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis in drag to avoid being killed by mobsters. This time the protagenists, Harry (Jermey Northam) and Wayne Wayne Wayne, Jr. (Steve Zahn), nonviolent escapees from a prision work crew, pretend to be a gay couple who coach contestants in beauty pagents. They are embraced (literally as well as figuratively) by the residents of a small town. This film is really, really funny with standout performances by William Macy, Jr., Steve Zahn, Moe Gabney and the little beauty pagent girls. Britisher Northam is a very convincing American conman who finally has to take responsibility for his actions. Rent it, buy it, whatever it takes to see it.
Rating:
Summary: The light is green!
Review: I don't know why more people don't know about this movie. When we saw it at the theater everyone laughed the whole way through. It deserves to be much more popular than it is. The editorial review above does a good job of detailing the plot, so I won't get into that here. I must say, however, that while all of the performances were good, for me and my friends it was Steve Zahn who stole the film. All I have to do is think about some of the things his character says and it makes me laugh. Ok, so it's not War and Peace and it won't start a cultural revolution or spawn lots of intelligent conversation, but if you just want a night of entertaining FUN and LAUGHS see this movie. I will certainly buy a copy.
Rating:
Summary: Good Behavior
Review: Hollywood can't resist making rural southern folks, Texans, appear dumb, religious, and oversexed. The Cohn brothers did a better job with Raising Arizona, but I'll give enough praise here to recommend a daft copy. Steve Zahn certainly has mastered the prison-bird-dysfunctional. He barely can express himself in southern drawl so thick, 'how ya doin' sounds like 'hdauon.' Zahn and Jeremy Northam take the identities of two beauty pageant twits and set up shop in Happy, Texas. William H. Macy as the local sheriff is fascinating, brilliant, again. He's a lawman and he's in love with Northam, a 'homoasexual.' Naturally, the in fact straight Northam falls for the blonde clerk of the local bank while Zahn teaches little girls how to win a beauty contest. Zahn finds new sensitivities in dance, song, and Junior Misses. Then the bank robbery goes wrong. Don't worry; they'll be out in 22 months for good behavior. A little slow, but nice try.
Rating:
Summary: Steve Zahn is at his best
Review: 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: 
Summary: Original, well-done and definitely worth checking out!
Review: 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:
Summary: HAPPILY EVER AFTER
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Good Behavior
Review: Hollywood can't resist making rural southern folks, Texans, appear dumb, religious, and oversexed. The Cohn brothers did a better job with Raising Arizona, but I'll give enough praise here to recommend a daft copy. Steve Zahn certainly has mastered the prison-bird-dysfunctional. He barely can express himself in southern drawl so thick, 'how ya doin' sounds like 'hdauon.' Zahn and Jeremy Northam take the identities of two beauty pageant twits and set up shop in Happy, Texas. William H. Macy as the local sheriff is fascinating, brilliant, again. He's a lawman and he's in love with Northam, a 'homoasexual.' Naturally, the in fact straight Northam falls for the blonde clerk of the local bank while Zahn teaches little girls how to win a beauty contest. Zahn finds new sensitivities in dance, song, and Junior Misses. Then the bank robbery goes wrong. Don't worry; they'll be out in 22 months for good behavior. A little slow, but nice try.
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