Search - Happy, Texas on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Language, Adult Humor, Sexual Situations Movie Release: 1999 DVD Release: 04/11/2000 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 38 mins Studio: Miramax Members Wishing: 11 Genres: Comedy, Romantic Comedy, Comedy of Errors

Happy, Texas is a fish-out-of-water comedy about two con men who escape from prison, then pose as gay lovers to hide out in a small Texas town. Mistaken for consultants to the Little Miss Fresh Squeezed Beauty Pageant, Harry (Jeremy Northam) and Wayne (Steve Zahn) go along with the ruse so they can stake out the local bank, owned by Josephine "Joe" McClintock (Ally Walker). The story kicks into high gear as Harry starts falling in love with Joe but cannot let on about his feelings. Also complicating matters is that gay Sheriff Dent (William H. Macy) has the hots for Harry, and Harry must pretend he's interested to keep the cops off his back. Meanwhile, Wayne is getting in touch with his feminine side as he tries his best to teach dance steps and flaming baton twirling to the little girls; he's also lusting after the girls' teacher, Ms. Schaefer (Ileana Douglas). Everything leads up to the big beauty pageant, where the cops are finally on Harry and Wayne's tail. First-time director Mark Illsley received wide media attention for this commercial piece, which sold to Miramax after a very public and intense bidding war. Steve Zahn's performance won him a special acting award at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival, where the film premiered in dramatic competition . ~ Arthur Borman, All Movie Guide

Jeremy Northam - Harry Sawyer
Steve Zahn - Wayne Wayne Wayne Jr.
William H. Macy - Sheriff Chappy Dent
Ally Walker - Josephine McLintock
Illeana Douglas - Ms. Schaefer

Happy, Texas, that madcap romp through the world of preteen beauty pageants, bumbling escaped convicts, and William H. Macy hilarity, is given a feature-packed DVD release. The 1.85:1 widescreen transfer is excellent, and though the stereo sound lacks dynamic range, it's acceptable and clean. What's most pleasing is that Miramax has made available a wealth of supplemental material. The audio commentary with director Mark Illsley and writer Ed Stone is never less than interesting. Seventeen minutes of deleted scenes add depth to the characters and a couple more laughs, though they concentrate too heavily on the relationship between Jeremy Northam and Ally Walker's characters. The 15-minute "Creation of Happy Texas" is an interview with Illsey and Stone that's a bit redundant after listening to the commentary track. The eight-minute featurette is thankfully more informative than glossy; it's made up of interviews with primary cast and crew and behind-the-scenes footage. Two music videos, one for Shannon Brown's "Half a Man" and one for Pam Tillis' "After a Kiss," are worthwhile for fans, and a chapter-selection menu allows instant access to the DVD's 33 chapters. It's unusual that a theatrical trailer wasn't included, but with its wealth of supplemental material and high-quality digital transfer, =Happy, Texas is still a great DVD. ~ Tim DiGravina, All Movie Guide