Review

A very impressive debut for director Gallo (star of Swingers, Clay Pigeons), this is the kind of personal filmmaking that hasn't been seen since the '70s. Rampantly experimental, with multiple screens, bizarre freeze frames and ersatz, Dennis Potter-esque musical interludes, Buffalo '66 was shot on color reversal film stock, giving the film a grainy, contrasty look. A bit off-putting initially, the film begins as a just-released ex-con (Gallo), a seemingly repellent character, kidnaps trailer park nubile Ricci from her tap-dancing class and forces her to pretend to be his wife (he's visiting his estranged parents, and wants to make a good impression). After meeting his horrifying parents (Gazzara and Huston), and getting to know Gallo more fully, both the viewer and Ricci (terrific, as always) gain a bit more sympathy for this loser. Completely unpredictable, with a smashing set-piece finale. This marks the arrival of a unique film talent.