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Jackpot (2001)
Released By: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment   Rating: R   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Michael Polish
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: N/A
Cast: Adam Baldwin, Daryl Hannah, Jonathan Gries, Peggy Lipton
Published ID: 617169
UPC: 043396069039,
Plot: Director Michael Polish and his twin brother Mark, who co-wrote and co-starred in the low-key, yet bizarre Twin Falls Idaho, about a woman who falls in love with a conjoined twin, follow up that modest cult hit with Jackpot. Jackpot is named for the town of Jackpot, NV, said in the film to be just across the border from Twin Falls. Like the Polish brothers' debut, it's well shot by cinematographer M. David Mullen, and is similarly full of odd, deadpan humor, but Jackpot has much more prosaic subject matter. Sunny Holiday (Jon Gries) abandons his wife Bobbi (Daryl Hannah) and their child to go in delusional pursuit of a singing career. Sunny is seemingly unaware of his lack of talent, as he and his stalwart manager Les ({Garrett Morris} of Saturday Night Live fame) travel from one town to another, entering karaoke contests in dive bars. Life on the road has its short-lived rewards, as desperate women occasionally fall for Sunny, despite Les' efforts to keep him out of trouble. But unbeknownst to Sunny, his wife is unhappy with the lottery tickets he sends her in lieu of child support, and she's set a private detective on his trail. One of the first features shot using a Sony 24P digital camera (along with Session 9 and Star Wars: Episode 2), Jackpot captures a grimy life on the road with detailed close-ups and effective deep-focus imagery. The quirky film jumps back and forth in time to match Sunny's playing and rewinding of a tape of his favorite song, George Jones' plaintive Grand Tour. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
Favorite Polish Yet
Added 4/19/2009

This funky little film is very likeable. I agree that there is too much cussing (for no apparent reason), but it's a pleasant trip with a couple of deluded dreamers. The tone isn't obviously any one thing - comedy? drama? - but that doesn't hurt it. Garrett Morris is really good, and Jon "Uncle Rico" Gries gets about his best part yet. Most of the singing competitions are amusing, but there are no giant laughs. The haters might be mad because there is no action, no explosions, no operatic high notes being struck (narratively). Well, too bad. It's the cinematic equivalent of a sad old country song - appropriately.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Hated It
Added 2/3/2004

Too many cuss words, and an improbable plot made this movie a complete waste of time. Don't torture yourself. Watch Scotland, Pa instead, if you want to see a smart little off-the-beat movie.
1 out of 12 people found this helpful.
It's like Candy
Added 3/17/2003

The actor singing Cameo's "Candy" is worth the price of admission. There are some hella funny scenes in this movie-- and Garrett Morris should have won an Academy Award for this character.
3 out of 3 people found this helpful.
American Idol
Added 3/16/2003

This movie is the "Five Easy Pieces" of our time. Except that Jackpot was shot in 15 days and for 400k (budget from commentary track) which gives it a brilliant Cassevetes feel. What I love about this film is that it really depicts a regular guy trying to become a singer, this is so American Idol! Maybe the contestants on that show can watch "Jackpot" and see where they are all going to end up... selling soap door to door.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Immature work
Added 10/4/2002

The only reason why I watched this movie was because I was so impressed with the Polish brothers' "Twin Falls Idaho," but this movie really disappointed me.
The first hour started out so so but had some tiny potential for getting better. It had an interesting premise, a karoake want to be singer traveling on the road with his sidekick. But then something happened completely frivolous to the plot. He meets a teenage Lolita type character for a few painful minutes. The Polish brothers just had to let this into have their fun. This isn't a serious Nabokov study and doesn't help the movie at all, easily could have been written out.

1 out of 6 people found this helpful.
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