I was 19 when I saw this. At the time, I had serious issues about men. My dad, of course. Guys who had burned me. Other male relatives who put me down and manipulated me.
I sought out this movie after reading a magazine review. Chris Mulkey, the lead, said in the interview that he predicted all women would despise this film. Odd, I thought. You're acting opposite your wife, and claiming that the film is offensive to women? Being a glutton for punishment, I grabbed it as soon as it was on video (couldn't find it in a theater.)
And did a total 180 in my attitudes. I finally got some insight as to WHY men are the way they are. Insecure, shallow and immature, hiding behind crude arrogance (Billy). Or sensitive, thoughtful and vulnerable, hiding behind pompous pretension (Eddie). Patti, on the other hand, was unlike any of the women in my family, or acquaintance, for that matter. *She simply did not need a man.* Totally foreign concept to me.
I just think it's ironic that Mulkey thought women would hate this film. Guess he's much like Billy IRL, as far as not understanding what makes women tick! I thought the film was very *pro*-women, and anti-men. Billy runs his mouth constantly, putting women down, but there's not a thing that happens that justifies his asinine opinions. All hat and no cattle, he is. His wife's not home when he calls (possibly messing around, but at any rate not bound to him), Patti can't be intimidated by him, and the random female motorist... ...I've thought about that scene. Why is this elegant, fur-coat-wearing, *mother of a teenage daughter* behaving like that? The only explanation I can come up with is that she's driving the daughter to or from, probably from, a visit with non-custodial dad. She also has issues, and whaddya know, the perfect target goes right across her radar!
Also love Eddie's antics in the scene leading up to that. "There could be white people in there...The good old days are gone forever. Anyway, I also love the byplay between the two men. The argument in the diner was so real...and you know when Eddie leans on his fist that the next shot will be of him in the passenger seat. Of course. But isn't it always like that? And his line to Billy: "Do you ever listen to yourself? I mean, do you ever LISTEN to yourself? If you did, you wouldn't say the things that you do!" I've used that on people, who have no idea that it's a quote...it's that realistic!
Also, my mom wanted me to point out that for all the vulgarities spoken in the first hour, you don't hear the word "prick" until Patti says it to Billy.
