Buffalo '66
Plot
In Vincent Gallo's critically acclaimed film "Buffalo '66", we meet Billy Brown, a troubled individual recently released from a five-year prison stint. As Billy navigates the complexities of re-entering society, he becomes fixated on the idea of having someone by his side - someone who will validate his existence and provide companionship in his isolation. Enter Layla, a bright-eyed and curious 8-year-old girl who has just lost her father. Billy sees an opportunity to fill the void left by Layla's absent parent and kidnaps her from a mall food court. Despite her initial terror and confusion, Layla gradually warms up to Billy's peculiarities, and he begins to treat her like a surrogate daughter. As they spend more time together, Billy's true intentions become clear: he is using Layla as a prop to rekindle his relationship with his parents. He presents her as his 22-year-old fiancée, and the trio embarks on a series of awkward and often cringe-worthy encounters. Throughout their misadventures, Billy's character is slowly revealed through a series of flashbacks that explore his troubled past. We see glimpses of his childhood, marked by abandonment and rejection, which have contributed to his current emotional state. His fixation on having someone - anyone - by his side is a desperate attempt to fill the void left by his absent mother. As Billy's façade begins to crumble, he must confront the reality that Layla is just a child and that his attempts at connection are misguided and damaging. The film's poignant climax finds Billy struggling to reconcile his own emotional scars with his responsibility to protect Layla from further harm. "Buffalo '66" is a powerful exploration of loneliness, trauma, and the complexities of human connection. Through its unconventional narrative and Gallo's haunting performance, the film offers a searing indictment of societal norms and our tendency to reject those who are different or struggling. Ultimately, it is a poignant reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope for redemption and healing.
Reviews
Alexandra
What I hate is when people try to find logic in art films. Love has no logic; you can list their good qualities, but it doesn't equate to the depth of love. Movies are for dreaming; they fill the heart with irrational hope. In dreams, we have no inferiority, and there's a beautiful person who loves you wholeheartedly. Gallo is an honest person, giving the camera all his loneliness and fear. Layla tap-dancing in the bowling alley is just gorgeous.
Ember
Every frame bleeds loneliness.
Marcus
Her dance is simply mesmerizing! The lights dim, and you can hear the tap of her heels on the floor.
Ariana
The heart of someone insecure is like a hard block of ice, and when warmth melts it, you'll be moved to tears.
Esther
From *Buffalo '66*, a chaotic family vacation reveals the tangled line between sin and family ties. The film's tense yet humorous tone unfolds a desperate escape from guilt, leaving you both laughing and cringing.
