Waking Up in Reno *** (2002, Billy Bob Thornton, Charlize Theron, Patrick Swayze) – Classic Movie Review 1755

Nobody’s going to argue about the quality of the cast for director Jordan Brady’s semi-amusing 2002 piece, as two dim couples are embroiled in infidelity on their vacation.

Brent Briscoe and Mark Fauser’s daffy screenplay is a bit underpowered and underwritten in places, but star players Billy Bob Thornton, Natasha Richardson, Patrick Swayze and Charlize Theron largely compensate.

Swayze and Theron play Roy and Candy and Thornton and Richardson play Lonnie Earl and Darlene, married couples who take a dream vacation to the Monster Truck Show in Reno in a new SUV. The problem is that Lonnie Earl fancies Candy.

Writers Brent Briscoe and Mark Fauser play Russell Whitehead and Boyd.

Natasha Richardson died on March 18 2009, aged 45, after falling and receiving a head injury while skiing in Mont Tremblant, Quebec. Patrick Swayze also died in 2009, on September 14, aged 57, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1755

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