Waking Up in Reno (2002)

Shelved for two years before its limited theatrical release, Waking Up in Reno is the kind of comedy that makes you feel guilty for laughing. The lowbrow fun begins when Arkansas car dealer Lonnie Earl (Billy Bob Thornton, perfectly cast) cheats on his wife Darlene (Natasha Richardson) with Candy (Charlize Theron), the wife of his best friend Roy (Patrick Swayze). When the couples pack up Lonnie Earl's ill-fated SUV to see the monster-truck jam in Reno, Nevada, Roy's meager sperm count and Candy's surprise pregnancy result in a series of marital repercussions. Stuck in a no-man's-land between road-trip farce and redneck parody, this comedic misfire trades in dimwit stereotypes and white-trash condescension, showing its age with a thankless hot-Latina cameo by Penélope Cruz. It's painless enough to be watchable, and Thornton's character is a likeable fool as he surveys the damage he's caused. Watch carefully, and you'll find plenty of mostly unfulfilled promise along with a half-hearted chuckle or two. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Waking up in reno

Waking Up in Reno
Some big name actors that did work well together, not a single one stole the show from the other but worked in harmony to tell this story of friends taking a vacation together but had complications in their relationships that ended up being funny as things was revealed! A must see for any couple that want a laugh for serious situations. October 24, 2008

hilarious and entertaining

I ordered Waking up in Reno and absolutely loved it. I caught a portion of it on tv and just had to order one for myself.

First copy was lost in mail but Amazon rushed me one in 2 days at no extra charg. I was very satisfied with the movie and Amazon.

Vicki C, Tulsa August 15, 2008

Woefully devoid of laughs or drama

Labelled a `sleeper' and hidden gem, this is anything but - unless they were referring to a tendency to sleep through the movie..
A sizzling cast are completely squandered in one of those `what were they thinking of?' movies.
Patrick Swayze plays a dimwitted husband to Charlize Theron, and as the movie starts they are about to go on vacation to Reno with their best friends, used car salesman Billy Bob Thornton and his wife Natasha Richardson. However, much supposed `hilarity' ensues as it all goes wrong, not least because Billy Bob has been sleeping with Theron - how hilarious! Thornton plays a thoroughly unlikeable used car salesman so convincingly we just don't feel any of the sympathy we are supposed to feel for him at his wifes aloofness, Richardson makes the only discernible character arc as she loses the dungarees and frumpy look at the end to reveal the 'new her' (yawn), and Theron plays the confused sexpot figuring out if she did the right thing getting married to an idiot. By the end you'll be convinced she didn't, but the movie would have you think otherwise. There is not a sympathetic character among them except perhaps for Swayze's character, who could be sympathetic if he was not played so dumb that we just don't care any more by about half way through. Perhaps there is some satire going on here, revealing this trashy side to the American dream.. but if that's what it is, the message is very confused. It seems to be saying - "Hey, has your husband gone and cheated on you? Well throw a tantrum then make up because it was all your own fault for not giving him enough sex" - very dubious.
Needless to say, they reach Reno, much shouting, revelations and would-be side-splitting antics follow as all is revealed and we wonder who will forgive who.
How such a cast ended up in this empty farce I can't imagine... Hey, if all you want to see is Theron in her undies - go right ahead, but don't go looking for depth or substance, or even a few guilty laughs... this turkey is devoid of all of those. (3/10)
July 5, 2008

Great Old Movie

Bought 2 copies of this old movie. One to keep and one to share this movie keeps you in stitches April 6, 2008

Quirky, funny movie

This movie is the kind of movie you want to watch to be entertained. There is no deep meaning, it's just a very funny movie. Out of the four main characters, Billy Bob Thorton and Charlize Theron really stand out for their comical portrayals. The two couples decide to take a road trip from rural Arkansas to Reno, they packed a few suitcases and quite a few cases of beer. There are many comical moments along the way and once they get there. If you want a light movie to watch this is a good one. January 23, 2008

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