It's 1988 Harrisburg PA. Russ Richards (John Travolta) is a local TV celebrity weatherman and he's broke after opening a snowmobile dealership. His shady friend Gig (Tim Roth) suggests an insurance scam but it goes wrong and Russ gets further in trouble with hit-man Dale (Michael Rapaport). Gig's next scheme is to rig the state lottery with the help of his amoral girlfriend Crystal Latroy (Lisa Kudrow) who pulls the numbers on TV. They actually succeed at winning the jackpot and station manager Dick Simmons (Ed O'Neill) tries to blackmail them. Mayhem ensues and detectives Lakewood (Bill Pullman) and Chambers (Daryl Mitchell) are forced to investigate.
This isn't funny even as a black comedy. Nora Ephron just doesn't have the feel for this comedy sub-genre. She is better off sticking with her usual brand of humor. The plot is a rambling mess. The characters are more annoying than actually funny. It is simply not funny and very tiresome.
This isn't funny even as a black comedy. Nora Ephron just doesn't have the feel for this comedy sub-genre. She is better off sticking with her usual brand of humor. The plot is a rambling mess. The characters are more annoying than actually funny. It is simply not funny and very tiresome.