Hollywood taught us that being prisoner in Texas is very hard, so most audience would probably understand the motives of two main characters at the beginning of Happy, Texas, 1999 romantic comedy directed by Mark Illsely. Wayne Wayne Wayne Jr. (played by Steve Zahn) and Harry Sawyer (played by Jeremy Northam) are two escaped convicts who, in order to evade authorities, steal an RV. Later they learn that the vehicle belongs to a gay couple that travels around Texas, working as consultants for local beauty pageants. The attempt to cross border into Mexico is temporarily halted in small town of Happy, where it turns out that the citizens were actually waiting for the same RV. Wayne and Harry are forced to assume identities of “David” and “Steve” in order to escape arrest by Sheriff Chappy Dent (played by William H. Macy). Harry, despite having to impersonate someone’s gay lover, is actually content with the situation, because the town not only serves as temporary hideout, but also has a bank that it could be easily robbed. Additional reason why Harry is enthusiastic about it is an attractive bank president Josephine “Joe” McClintock (played by Ally Walker). While he plans robbery, his partner, who doesn’t have a clue about show business, is taking unenviable task of preparing the children’s beauty pageant, during which he meets Doreen Schaeffer (played by Ileanna Douglas). In the meantime, Harry realises that he became object of attention by Sheriff Dent, and that motives for that aren’t exactly professional.
Many critics were prone to disregard Happy, Texas as nothing more than uninspired variation on the themes much better explored in classic comedy Some Like It Hot. When it premiered on Sundance Film Festival, it was branded “the most commercial film at Sundance”, which was probably the worst insult any aspiring independent film maker trying to make their name there could imagine. In any case, Happy, Texas caused something of a bidding war among distributors at Sundance, which was ultimately won by Miramax. When it was distributed later in the year it turned into flop, despite most of reviewers being surprisingly kind. Reason can be found in lack of originality, since mistaken identities are motive being used in stage works since ancient times. What makes Happy, Texas slightly different is deeply humanistic approach of Illseley and his co-writers Ed Stone and Phil Reeves towards their characters. They are mostly described as nice, kind human beings despite making few errors in their past. Much of that effect is due to excellent cast. William H. Macy, one of the most formidable character actors, is great in the role which is both funny and moving. Jeremy Northam, who made his name playing suave British aristocrats, is handling American accent very well. Ally Walker, one of tragically underused actresses of her generation, is very good in one of rare comical roles of her career. Steve Zahn is very good in the role of common criminal who discovers hidden talent, while Ileanna Douglas, sadly, goes little over the top in her role. The good general impression is slightly affected by uninspired ending which, like so many poor Hollywood comedies, compensates humour with action. The surrealist finale makes things even worse and brings Happy, Texas close to “deliberately trashy” territory. However, this film is mostly solid piece of entertainment that, unlike so many Hollywood comedies of its time, can make audience laugh without making it hate rest of humankind.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
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