Waking Up in Reno (2002)

ridiculous rating

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

If you are looking for easy, adult, laugh out loud entertainment, this is the movie. It is a light hearted comedy and the story lines have been "done to death" but these 4 actors put a fresh spin on these otherwise "trite" characters. Billy Bob Thornton is just brilliantly funny. You want to hate him but you can't. To see Patrick Swayze playing what we think is a not too bright person was fabulous. He did an outstanding job. I have never seen him in a roll like this. The talents of this cast take this story and make it enjoyable and entertaining. This is Jerry Springer meets Road Trip and the result is a ball of fun! If you like your laughs big, fat and dumb, then you'll probably like this one. There were a few good one-liners that gives this one re- watch value for some. The sex scenes, however, are nothing but tease and may leave you frustrated. Actually it is rather fun hearing Swayze talk with a southern accent. Tony Orlando is good in his small role. Overall, it's a great film that offers great comedy, but at the same time, it offers us true pictures of the human condition that can strike close to home.Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

SPOILERS:This was not a terrible movie but not much above average. It certainly was moderately disappointing but fun in it's own way.With this incredible cast and the fact that it is essentially a "road movie" it should have been a bit better then it was. What a cast this movie had! Theron and Richardson sink their teeth into these roles and create characters with fully developed personalities. Thornton may have been the best here but I must say Swayze, who I've always thought was a bit under rated, was excellent and I really enjoyed seeing him in this role. I also loved Penelope Cruz in this role and wish her part had been larger. The whole cast was way above average.But the movie still lacked a lot. With all the possibilities this movie had, I didn't think the central subject matter fit very well. Although the cast is great and they develop their characters, there isn't much development in the way the characters interact with each other. Therefore it is kind of difficult to buy into the movie.Plus you kind of feel a little gypped at the end, as you don't really see how much is resolved. There are occasionally some really good scenes such as the confrontation between the two women, which unfortunately, is turned into a cat fight (after a really poignant scene I might add) and the scene where Swayze says he wants respect. Even the interaction between Swayze and Cruz is practically non existent after she starts talking to him at the bar. This movie is WAY to short. And I also think maybe it would have played better as a drama or at least a dramatic comedy. It really wasn't very funny anyway although it had a few moments toward the end.Also considering this is a road movie, I thought more could have been done from a cinematography standpoint. Again-there's a few moments, examples being a breathtaking scene of the nighttime sky and of coarse the last scene. But way more use should have been made of the photography and way more interesting adventures should have happened on the way to Reno.I wouldn't really recommend this movie but fans of any of the performers might want to check it out for some really good acting. It's a credit to the talent of all these performers that even in a mediocre movie, each one manages to turn in a performance that's above average and then some.

Waking Up in Reno was an absolute surprise. I saw a new (lighter) side of Billy Bob Thornton, the leader of the pack on this road trip (or so he envisioned.) More please! The oh-so-likable Mr. Swayze has amazing instincts selecting roles, and offers just the right performance. Here each character is played for real and to perfection. Between the four of them, I couldn't stop laughing; it literally brought tears to my eyes. This movie is well-written; the comedy, the drama, have an authentic feel. The Director, to be sure, a skilled observer with a comedic eye. I haven't felt so entertained in a long time. I didn't have lofty expectations or preconceived notions, I'm happy I went along for the ride. As far as I'm concerned it's good material presented by the best in the business. A lucky find. See it!

I've seen some crappy movies in my life, but this one must be among the very worst. Definately bottom 100 material (imo, that is).We follow two couples, the Dodds (Billy Bob Thornton as Lonnie Earl and Natasha Richardson as Darlene) and the Kirkendalls (Patrick Swayze as Roy and Charlize Theron as Candy) in one car on a roadtrip to Reno.Apparently, Lonnie isn't too happy with his sex-life, so he cheats on his wife with Candy, who's despirately trying to have a baby. Roy, meanwhile, isn't too sure if his sperm is OK so he's getting it checked by a doctor.Now, I had read the back of the DVD, but my girlfriend didn't, and she blurted out after about 20 minutes: 'oh yeah, she's gonna end up pregnant but her husband can't have any baby's'. Spot on, as this movie is soooo predictable. As well as boring. And annoying. Meaningless. Offensive. Terrible.An example of how much this movie stinks. The two couples set out in their big car towards Nevada, when they are stopped by 2 police-officers, as they didn't stop at a stop-sign. The guys know each other and finally bribe the two officers with a case of beer. Not only is this scene pointless and not important (or even relevant) for the movie, it takes about 5 minutes! It's just talk and talk and talk, without ever going somewhere.I still have to puke thinking about the ending though. Apparently, Roy ISN'T having problems down there so he IS the father of the child. How many times does that happen in the movies... try something new! The cheated wife ultimately forgives her husband and best friend for having the affair and they all live happily ever after. Yuck.Best scene of the movie is right at the end, with a couple of shots of the Grand Canyon. Why couldn't they just keep the camera on that for 90 minutes?One would expect more from this cast (although Thornton really tries), but you can't really blame them. Writers, shame on you!1/10.