Buffalo '66

I come back to this to see what makes a film practically perfect. Vincent Gallo's directing career is legendary in my opinion. It's short and sweet with only 2 films in his directing career. I honestly feel like the world lost something special with him quitting as a director due to the reception of The Brown Bunny at Cannes. Its possible people didn't understand it and on the surface, it can look mundane, but on a deep examination explores loneliness and a longing for something that doesn't exist anymore. Billy is a character that can both be reviled and looked at with a sympathetic light. He is someone who struggles from one scene to the next with someone who is trying their best to help them but keeps pushing them away or mocking them. It's his coping mechanism. It's how he deals with the world because of how he was raised in the household that never showed him a real ounce of love. His life was a hard life and all he wants is the love and admiration of people who couldn't care less about him. Billy is a person who is deeply hurt by his past but with the addition of Layla, there might be something to look forward to in this horrible miserable position he's in. Gallo has a devilish charm that should not work on paper but with the execution and presentation, you come to understand Billy and who he is and how he became the way he did. He's got a sincere balance of rage and sincere apologies that would make this character unbearable in the hands of a less capable actor/director, but Gallo has such control in his mannerisms and tone that the subtle nuances in his performance make these moments believable. Buffalo '66 is a deep look into Gallo's psyche. It's an ambitious yet quaint passion project that was never loved upon initial release. It's a shame because looking at this film for the first time I wholeheartedly fell in love with it about halfway through. The film has a unique look with it being sepia-toned and including images and clips from Billy's life coming into the frame as the movie continues with the scene. It takes our attention away from is happening and forcing us to examine a critical moment allowing a window into what happened in Billy's life. Gallo has the skill of a veteran on a debut. A vision that is fully sought out and completed with grace and professional precision. Gallo's amazing performance and direction on full display