HAPPY, TEXAS

1999

OK, here's the story: two escapees from a chain gang sneak into the small town of Happy, Texas, posing as gay lovers who stage beauty pageants involving pre-teen girls. Under the pretext of staging the town's pageant, they're really trying to rob the town's bank. Now, if you think that you know how the story unfolds based on that premise, you would probably be 100% wrong. This movie is filled with wonderful surprises, not least of which are: a sweet, moving, and funny plot; intelligent and non-stereotypical direction; and most importantly, excellent performances by everyone, especially, William H. Macy, as the town sheriff, and Jeremy Northam and Steve Zahn as the "gay" convicts. The two big hits of this year's Sundance Film Festival this year were "The Blair Witch Project" and this film, "Happy, Texas." The former turned out to be a hyped-up fraud; this one is the real thing.

4.5 Stars

NJB