"Trixie" the movie, and Trixie the character are both difficult to peg. Alan Rudolph is one of my favorite directors, with "Choose Me" being a hidden treasure that everyone should discover. However, the muddled plot and underdeveloped characters make this one seem about 3/4 complete. Emily Watson as Trixie mangles the English language with an avalanche of malapropisms for 2 hours. If I am correct, I think Rudolph uses her botchings as a way to measure the true misuse (or lack of sincerity) of the language we are exposed to daily from powerful businessmen (Will Patton) and corrupt politicians (Nick Nolte). The ramblings of these two are much more destructive than those of the well-meaning, but seemingly harmless Trixie. Dermot Mulrooney's character presented us with the potential to be one of the truly great roles in cinema. Inexplicably, he is written out of the movie just when we are trying to complete our bond with him. That leaves Trixie and a previously minor character to save the day and the film. I think they fall a little short. Nick Nolte, Nathan Lane, and Will Patton (all excellent actors) have over-the-top scenes that wreak of acting class. Emily Watson seems somewhat miscast, and I am not sure why Lesley Ann Warren agreed to her role, unless it was loyalty to Rudolph. Side note ... does anyone else think that Emily Watson looks like a female Gary Oldman? Although I agree with Rudolph in that the true danger lies with the so-called power mongers, I must admit that the underdeveloped script was a disappointment. In spite of the shortcomings of the script, the film is watchable from a comedy standpoint. You'll find yourself trying to remember some of Trixie's most interesting misspeaks. Plenty of outloud laughter in my audience, and one can never have enough laughs.
Review of Trixie
