An electric
directorial debut (seven years in the making) by New York artist/musician/model/actor
Vincent Gallo, BUFFALO '66 combines the experimental techniques of the
French New Wave and the realistic grit of seventies filmmakers such
as John Cassavetes, resulting in something inventive and original.
Gallo portrays
Billy Brown, who has just been let out of jail. Before returning home
to visit his parents and murder the kicker who missed the field goal
that sent him there in the first place (in order to repay a debt that
he didn't have the money to extinguish), he kidnaps a bored ballerina
(Christina Ricci) and makes her pretend that she is his wife.
Though
she doesn't seem to object to the abduction, Billy is emotional, angry,
and sensitive. As the trip progresses- including an explosive visit
to his childhood home, where his indifferent parents still reside -
-the two continue bicker back and forth, but begin to form a real bond.