If there's one thing about us Buffalonians, we're fiercely protective of our city. So I was reluctant to see "Buffalo 66" when it was first released in 1998, hearing how it showed our beleaguered metropolis in a not so glowing light. Let's face it, though -- Buffalo will never have the urbane sophistication of a San Francisco, Seattle or New York. Best to ignore the jabs thrown our way by those elitist, Perrier-drinking queche eaters. And at least Vince Gallo is one of us -- a working class Buffalo boy. So my wife and I finally decided to give "Buffalo 66" a try on Easter Sunday (after eating a brunch of eggs and Polish sausage from the Broadway Market). We were pleasantly surprised by this unusual picture. Sure, the plot is ridiculous and the characters grossly exaggerated. But the movie is a wickedly satirical romp that never takes itself too seriously and keeps your interest throughout. Buffalo Bills fans will love the references to a fictitious Bills placekicker named "Scott Woods" who misses a potential game-winning field goal in the Super Bowl, a not-so-subtle reference to Scott Norwood of the infamous "Wide Right" in the 1991 Bowl. Better yet, this Scott Woods character runs a strip joint in Buffalo, hilarious when you consider the real Scott Norwood is one of the most upstanding guys you'd ever want to meet. Ben Gazzara and Anjelica Huston are a scream as Vince's wacky parents and Christina Ricci -- an actress I've never particularly admired -- is sexy and sweet as the young Layla. Mickey Rourke and Jan Michael Vincent are great in cameo appearances. "Buffalo 66" is grimy, hard-edged and lacks polish (sort of like the city it represents) and that helps make it an eminently watchable film.
Review of Buffalo '66
