Small-time criminal Watty Watts attempts to rob a convenience store with his drug-addict buddy, Billy Mack Black. The robbery, however, leads to murder, and soon Watty leaves Billy behind and goes on the run with his beloved girlfriend, Starlene. Heading toward Mexico, the fugitive couple gets plenty of media coverage, until there are even more people on their trail. Can Watty and Starlene make it south of the border without getting caught?
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Good story, Not enough for a whole film
Excellent adaptation.
Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.
It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.
Some lazy and uninformed Critics and Reviewers can't help themselves and immediately lash out at this Movie's similarity to others Directed by Tarantino, Rodriguez, Stone, and Lynch. Truth of the Matter is that when Films are so near in release dates it is unfair and somewhat inaccurate to claim thievery.It is more likely and a bit Metaphysical that these Creative Folks were all tapping into that Akashic Record thing or what may be called the Hundred Monkey Theory. Whatever. This is a very good, Fun-Frolic Road Movie with White Trash Anti-Heroes and a Kick-Ass Soundtrack. More quirky characters than have a right to exist in any one Movie and some Witty Banter that makes it all quite a Rolicking Ride.It is over the top, around the bend, down the rabbit hole and off into outer space. Nutzoid and Naughty, Dirty and Delightful, with a Cast that cries out Cult Movie. It is proudly self-conscious, Violent, and Funny enough for it to become part of the Zeitgeist that was working in its Day and can not be ignored. This one will do nothing but gain Reputation and Admiration acquiring more Fans every Year. It was an easy thing to miss and dismiss this in the Mid-Nineties but if nothing else, the Success of Renee Zellweger will have the curious seeking this one out as a Career Starter and while she is a standout here, this Movie has more to offer and does so with layers of interest far beyond anything as shallow as Star Power. It gets its energy from a Chemical Compound and a Cultural Milieu that is forever Fascinating.
Texas convenience store robber Gil Bellows (as Watford "Watty" Watts) and his blonde sexpot Renee Zellweger (as Starlene "Star" Cheatham) get into trouble when a hold-up gets unexpected bloody. As a rule, Mr. Bellows commits his robberies with an unloaded gun. "Never rob a store with a loaded gun," he advises, "never." We're supposed to ignore the fact that he breaks the rule immediately; the young clerk in the opening minutes would have relieved tension by pulling the trigger after hearing it wasn't loaded, if not sooner. Next to break the rule is crazy strung-out accomplice Rory Cochrane (as Billy Mack Black)...The bloody mess results in Bellows and Ms. Zellweger leaving their romantic trailer park for Mexico, in a baby blue 1972 Plymouth. Before booking, Bellows sticks a fork and a knife in Mr. Cochrane, thinking he's done with the dude. Turns out, he's not. Along the violent road trip we meet director C.M. Talkington in a tattoo shop. Suburban hippie Peter Fonda and passionate wife Ann Wedgeworth also appear. They disappear, alas, but leave behind a trippy bottle of Sandoz...In one of the funniest of a few good laughs, the comedy's co-stars turn on the TV as a favor to a bound and gagged reverend; horrifically, they leave it tuned to a home shopping channel. Bellows and Zellweger are and attractive couple, but do not even approach older outlaws "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967) or contemporary "Natural Born Killers" Mickey and Mallory (1994). Bellows is a scruffy Sal Mineo. Zellweger is a Southern Kelly Bundy, acting with her legs first. It is refreshing to see the actors shake more than the cameras. Consisting of appropriate oldies and original music by Tom Verlaine, the soundtrack, is a main strength.***** Love and a .45 (9/10/94) C.M. Talkington ~ Gil Bellows, Renee Zellweger, Rory Cochrane, Jeffrey Combs
Screw what the movie mavens are writing about this being a ripoff and all that twaddle. It is fun. Further Renee Z in those shorts just gets the cherry flavor. Only her second flick and yummy yummy. Gil lines are a hoot, esp the "risk management" one. I've always loved these ride movies and if you do, ride along. So there are some setup characters. Game is to see what they can and will do with it. More satire than Badlands or Bonnie & Clyde. If you just want an entertain escape from the ho hum, he it be. PS IFC showed an Exit Poll had 75% of viewers believing thatthe two characters were not guilty.
10 years ago they would have been accusing Tarantino/Stone/Bright etc of ripping off other directors that had passed before them or inspired their work. The truth is Love & a 45' is a highly entertaining road movie that may be compared to Natural Born Killers, Freeway, and others but has the strength the stand on it's own two feet. Personally I think it's a great ride and after watching the comparison films thirty or forty times I dont see any comparison to speak off. What the hell is wrong with you people? Whacky characters and crazy scenes galore and it is fun to watch. Who cares if the styles are similar. Jeez! 9/10
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