MILWAUKEE, MINNESOTA -- Allan Mindel, dir

©2003
studio: Tartan Video
production company: Albert & Tuey Productions, Empire State Entertainment, Framework Entertainment Group, Modern Digital
dir: Allan Mindel
cast: Troy Garity, Alison Folland, Randy Quaid, Bruce Dern, Hank Harris, Debra monk, Josh Brolin, Holly Woodlawn
screenplay: Richard Murphy

A young man who's been labeled mentally ill is left on his own after his mother's murder. Confused and alone, he's targeted by two different con artists out to make off with his inheritance. [from IMDb.com]

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Wonderful cast -- great performances. Bruce Dern is subtle but strong, as always. I've never been much of a fan of Randy Quaid -- his performance was typical. Alison Folland, whom I'd never heard of, was pretty good. Troy Garity was okay, but his character was rather ill-defined. And there, I think was the problem.

There was little definition to anything here.

Just what was Albert's affliction? Did it matter? Well, kind of, since he's suddenly on his own and people are trying to take advantage of him. As a viewer I don't know how capable he is of watching after himself.

I didn't mind the super powers with fishing. Kind of strange, quirky, as an indie film should be.

The stock characters just didn't help: the idiot savant, the hooker with the heart of gold, the long-lost father, the convincing villian. Just too stereotypical, and the story did nothing to diverge from what we expected.

Oh, and it does take place in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. Minnesota is in the title because ... well... I'm not 100% sure why it's in the title. I guess it's just eye-catching.