Waking Up in Reno (2002)

Waking Up in Reno: Directed by Jordan Brady. With Natasha Richardson, Holmes Osborne, Billy Bob Thornton, Patrick Swayze. A romantic comedy about two trashy couples travelling to Reno to see a monster truck show.

“Wakinu0026#39; up in Reno refers to more than just the alarm clock when two married couples take a road trip — and an unexpected emotional detour — from their home town of Little Rock to the u0026quot;Biggest Little City in the Worldu0026quot; for a monster truck rally. Roy (Patrick Swayze, u0026quot;Forever Luluu0026quot;) and Candy (Charlize Theron, u0026quot;Sweet Novemberu0026quot;) tag along with their best friends Lonnie Earl (Billy Bob Thornton, u0026quot;The Giftu0026quot;) and Darlene (Natasha Richardson, u0026quot;Blow Dryu0026quot;), picking up a brand new SUV from the dealership that Lonnie Earl owns, and head off for the wild blue yonder. Theyu0026#39;re armed with a AAA Trip Tik, which is animated onscreen from time to time as we follow the bouncing auto from point to point on its way out west. Along the way, they stop at a few roadside attractions — but only the ones Lonnie Earl wants to see, because heu0026#39;s got to keep to their schedule. This is very important to him, even after he eats a 72-ounce steak and winds up in the emergency room. Meanwhile, Candy is ovulating and Royu0026#39;s got to accommodate her whenever her temperature drops to that magic number. Little does he know, Lonnie Earl may have already planted his seed before they left home. Lonnie Earlu0026#39;s wife, Darlene, doesnu0026#39;t know either — but you think she might not care, as she hasnu0026#39;t let her husband touch her for the past two years.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis is a pretty simple story and there isnu0026#39;t a lot going on, but itu0026#39;s well directed, and particularly well written and well acted. It all comes together beautifully, and the four actors are completely believable in their could-be country caricature roles. Lonnie Earlu0026#39;s got the Van-Dyke look going on, complete with snakeskin cowboy boots and his faux snakeskin shirt, and Darlene starts off bumpkin-geek with her overalls and badly bleached hair. She later goes babe-chic when she takes the cheating Lonnie Earlu0026#39;s credit card, raids the expensive designer boutiques, and treats herself to a Tony Orlando concert. While none of the characters have especially good qualities, the actors who portray them make them likable and relatable.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWhile the subject matter is serious, Wakinu0026#39; Up In Reno is played (mostly) for laughs, and there are plenty of them. Itu0026#39;s too bad itu0026#39;s only getting a limited release, as this is one of the smartest, funniest adult comedies Iu0026#39;ve seen in awhile.”