This script had the potential to result in a very amusing film with a lot of reversals for a pair of convicts as they bumble their way out of jail and into a case of mistaken identity as a gay couple hired to coach and manage a small town pageant.Steve's Zahn's caveman half of the comedy 'duo' delivers some laughs as he is challenged to provide tuition to young girls. Sadly the other half, Jeremy Northam's handsome conman, remains stuck in a dull romance with the town's only pretty blonde - when he isn't being pursued by the local sheriff.It's a weird film with characters that are a struggle to like or believe and while there are a very few laugh out loud moments for most of the film it feels like hard work to find anything genuinely amusing.Northam is particularly boring to watch due to his apparent inability to produce facial expression. Perhaps he attended the Roger Moore School of Facial Acting... He was much better as an equally (but suitably) 'blank' corporate spy in the low budget sci-fi Cypher. Which I recommend.

I saw this film recently, for the second time, with a friend who hadn't seen it before.It has a solid cast, with roles all well-played, and all who are just a bit shy of being on Hollywood's "A" list - but not because of any lacking talent or appeal.There are a lot of previous comments here, so I would just add that it is a thoroughly enjoyable film, all the characters likable (even the couple of "bad" guys, in their own way).You are completely aware of the basic ending of the story from the outset, and can pretty well guess most of the exact details as it moves along. However, this isn't meant to be suspenseful, and, as a quiet, modestly-budgeted presentation, it outdoes most of the "A-list," super-budget extravaganzas by a mile.

I wasn't expecting all that much from this movie, but was very pleasantly surprised.For a 'dumb' genre comedy it's smart and genuinely funny. It doesn't rely on the cheap/mindless/scatological 'humour' of most others in its category.The characters are well cast and well developed, giving a richness. W H Macy is brilliant (as usual) and his Sheriff character is very unique. Jeremy Northam is charming and inexplicably watchable (as usual), in a role that takes him outside of his previous square.I liked the casting choice for the leading lady too - less glam and more about personality fit. Steve Zahn is a comic genius - and I don't usually say that about mostly visual comics. He adds a lot of value and drives much of the laughter.Recommended for a giggle, with deeper satisfaction to offer than most other 'silly' movies.

Good premise, forced Zahn comedy, forced love stories, GREAT MACY as always. When I watched the 2nd time (yesteday), I found it even harder to get through. The Director/Writer special feature on the DVD was enlightening and will encourage any wannabee filmmaker.The hard part to believe is that in 1999 this film made it to Sundance and was picked up by Miramax. This just needed a better script and less forced plot to be an interesting character film. Seems like everyone wants to make a quirky FARGO but ends up with broad, contrived, unfunny small-town characters.I am currently in pre-production on my first feature film called "PIGS" and I base my own comedy on 2 things: real situations, fresh characters who are complex to the point that their inadequacies prompt conflict with other characters. Plus I've got a killer Amish sub-plot that is a twisted WITNESS tale. (Am I talking about my own film too much? It's only because I have to fill these 10 stupid lines and I've said everything about Happy.)