Milwaukee, Minnesota (2003)

Having lived his entire life under the watchful eye of his overbearing mother, Albert must fend for himself after an unidentified car suddenly kills her. Free for the first time, Albert quickly responds to the bait dangling in front of him by two con artists, pitting one against the other in a race for his trust and fortune. Using the skills that make him a gifted fisherman, Albert turns the tables on his seemingly doomed fate, revealing nothing is quite what it seems in this Midwestern tale of love and deceit. Stars Troy Garity, Alison Folland, Randy Quaid, Bruce Dern, Hank Harris.

b-o-r-i-n-g

Jane Fonda's son Troy Garity stars as Albert Burroughs, a poor imitation of Forrest Gump. He is developmentally disabled, and all the more so because of his overbearing mother who goes to excessive lengths to protect him from the real world. When she is killed in a suspicious hit-n-run accident, Albert is easy prey for two characters who try to con his considerable money which he won as an expert ice fisherman. His employer rounds out the cast as a good guy who has Albert's best interests in mind and tries to shield him from the con artists. This film was an "official selection" at festivals in Palm Springs, Slamdance, and Seattle, but you should skip it. January 24, 2007

Only for a happy few

I'll be up front about this: director Allan Mindel is a very good friend of mine and I have witnessed in awe the making of his first feature. Allan's struggle and tenacity paid off. This is not a movie that only requires a one-time viewing. I have seen it projected now 6 times - and it gets better. And better. And better. Only true film watchers will appreciate this splendid work. On the surface it is a simple story but there are so many subtle layers that watching it on DVD is the perfect medium. I recommend watching it at least once a month. It will improve your quality of life.
Enjoy, you lucky few! December 26, 2005

Uncompelling and lackluster

This is the kind of film which the director and screenwriter thought would be really quirky and deep, but ends up being a boring, predictable train wreck. Viewers will see the "revelation" regarding Albert's parentage coming from a mile away. The acting is atrocious, especially the characters of Albert and Tuey. Skip it and take a nap instead. December 10, 2005

'Challenged' as a State of Mind and Heart

MILWAUKEE, MINNESOTA has everything you'd hope to find in an Indie film - good offbeat story, strong cast mixing established actors with new talent that brings out the best in both, a director who lets the story unfold naturally, enough messages to cast away any doubts that the world is lacking in spirit and caring, and an impressive list of contributors that demonstrates that there are many people who appreciate and love fine film. Writer Richard Murphy and Director Allan Mindel have shaped a tale about a mentally challenged young man and his inner strengths that allow him to make his mark on the world through sheer courage: they have succeeded in creating a memorable, touching, warmly human film.

Albert Burroughs (Troy Garity) is a twenty-something sweet lad, mentally challenged but able to maintain a job as a copy clerk for old man McNally (Bruce Dern) while he is closely overprotected by his mother Edna (Debra Monk). Troy's one pastime is ice fishing and because he is sensitive to the language of the fishes he has become the champion ice fisher of Wisconsin, earning prizes that amount to considerable savings! Worried that the outside world (outside of Milwaukee!) might be abusive to her son, Edna has prevented his entering contests in such places as neighboring Minnesota, places where Albert could truly become a star.

Quite suddenly Edna is killed in by a hit and run driver and Albert is left to his own devices for survival. News of his inheritance and contest winnings seeps into the world and characters begin to appear to take advantage of 'the retard': the smarmy Jerry (Randy Quaid) tries to convince Albert he is his real father; Tuey (Allison Folland) and her cancerphobic younger brother Stan (Hank Harris) are cheap con artists who try to steal his money; a transvestite (Holly Woodlawn) and her bodyguard Gary (Josh Brolin) wiggle into the stew created by Tuey and Stan and further go after Albert's money; and McNally posts his own agenda for 'care' of Albert and his 'fortune'. How each of these attempts to take advantage of Albert play out forms the line of the story, with an ending that finds Albert leading his life as an ice fisherman who is a champion in more ways than one.

Though obviously shot on a low budget this film succeeds on the important levels of communication and goes beyond the ordinary with some stunning photography by Bernd Heinl and a wonderful musical score by Michael Convertino and Robert Muzingo. Troy Garity (son of Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden) holds his own in a role that could fall into parody and demonstrates that he is growing into a fine actor. And it helps to have the likes of Bruce Dern and Randy Quaid in the mix! This is the kind of film that is refreshing to see made. Would that Hollywood would invest in stories of this caliber! Recommended. Grady Harp, November 05
November 28, 2005

POWERFUL PERFORMANCES

Powerful performances all around. Troy Garity lives up to his potential from "Soldier's Girl" with another brilliant performance; Randy Quaid in a Robert Mitchum style "Night of the Hunter" performance. Last shot might be one of the most magically beautiful scenes in recent cinema! Congraulations to first time director Allan Mindel. A must see for indie film fans. November 13, 2005

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