When you’re an ex-convict that wants to hide his stint in jail from his parents, among other things, fake dating is a rather strange solution. It’s usually the stuff of cheesy romcoms, but Buffalo ’66 plays out differently. The pretense doesn’t stem from jealousy or money or career status, but rather from desperation, becoming another attempt to win some semblance of self-worth from dysfunctional parents, which inevitably doesn’t work… At least in the way Billy hopes it would. While Layla’s motivations aren’t fully fleshed out, Christina Ricci brings a certain doll-like sweetness that lines up with what’s expected of her by her captor, but also happens to enliven the rest of the family, allowing just a glimpse of the good people they used to be, before they slip back into their usual unkind, thoughtless selves. This, along with Billy’s background– flashbacks of neglect and abuse in frames within frames– makes their connection a bit toxic, but Buffalo ’66 has an interesting style and excellent performances to make it a memorable watch.
"Pic receives an incalculable boost from Ricci."
— Todd McCarthy
Billy is released after five years in prison. In the next moment, he kidnaps teenage student Layla and visits his parents with her, pretending she is his girlfriend and they will soon marry.
After his release from prison, ex-convice Billy Brown kidnaps young tap dancer Layla and asks her to pretend to be his wife in hopes of distracting his parents and enacting his revenge on the man that lost him a bet.
Christina Ricci! Her character is the only pleasant person in the entire film.
That being said, Layla deserves better!
Spirit Awards
1 nomination
Sundance
1 nomination
Nat. Board of Review
1 win, 1 nomination
NYFCC
1 nomination
"There is a air of intriguing atavism about the textures and contours of Buffalo '66's visual style and tone."
— Gavin Smith