Plot: What’s it about?
Jjaks (Keanu Reeves) is returning home to attend his brother’s wedding. While Jjaks is a drifter and is a remote type guy, he still has a bond with his family. As such, he has come home to watch his brother (Vincent D’Onofrio) recite the vows and become a married man. But the wedding is not the usual sacred service, as the bride, Freddie (Cameron Diaz) is not marrying Jjak’s brother Sam out of love, but out of debt. You see, Freddie owes a considerable amount of cash to nightclub owner Red (Delroy Lindo). In order to eliminate that debt, Freddie has to marry Sam, since she has no chance of raising the cash to pay off the debt. The arrangement looks as if it will go off without a hitch, until Jjaks shows up. Jjaks and Freddie have instant chemistry, end up fucking their brains out in a bathroom, and soon fall in love. It’s the kind of whirlwind romance we all long for, but few can attain. Freddie has no intentions of staying with Sam now, and persuades Jjaks to run away with her. But this does not sit well with Sam and Red, who hire a private dick (Dan Akroyd) to track down the lovebirds. With lunatics like Sam, Red, and the private dick on their trail, this is bound to be one hell of a honeymoon for Jjaks and Freddie.
This isn’t your normal romantic comedy, being a few shades darker than the normal entry in the genre, but it is worth a look, especially for those who like black humor. While the movie is quite funny, you’ll need to suspend your disbelief at times, because this flick goes out on a limb, and then some. After a while, you’ll just accept all the twists and turns, which is good, since there are so many of them. Those twists and turns are what keeps the movie flowing, and provide much of the humor, and they can be downright outrageous at times. The characters are varied and hilarious, although I don’t think any of them fit the mold for traditional romantic comedy characters, since even our leading couple aren’t totally likable. But even if you dislike the lovebirds, you’re bound to laugh at the trouble they get themselves into, so you’ll be entertained nonetheless. As I mentioned, this movie is a little on the darker side of the genre, so if you prefer your love stories coated with sappy sugar, you’ll be better off watching another movie. But if you want a quirky and fresh darker romantic comedy, I give this movie a very high recommendation.
This film was written and directed by Steven Baigelman, who decided the material wasn’t dark enough, so he enhanced the image, to reflect a darker, less colorful visual style. This really has an effect on the visual impact, which makes the events a little more depressing, but still funny as hell. While I am not a fan of Keanu Reeves, at least not when he has to deliver dialogue, he is quite good here, not as stiff as he usually is. He loosens up a bit, and his character thrives because of it. Reeves shows a vulnerable side here we’re not used to seeing after movies like Speed and The Matrix. Cameron Diaz also turns in an above average performance, playing the woman in need role to near perfection. Diaz (The Mask, Very Bad Things) is a talented actress, but I don’t think she is near her full potential quite yet. The most amusing characters are played by Vincent D’Onofrio (Full Metal Jacket, The Player), Delroy Lindo (Ransom, Romeo Must Die), and Dan Akroyd (The Blues Brothers, 1941), who are nothing short of hilarious. The supporting cast here also includes Tuesday Weld (Sexkittens Go To College, Falling Down), Russell Konstans, David Alan Smith (The Cure), Jack Walsh (Pink Flamingos, A Simple Plan), and Buffy Sedlachek (Grumpy Old Men, Overnight Delivery).
Video: How does it look?
Feeling Minnesota is presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, with a full frame version included as well on this dual layered disc. The movie uses some visual techniques to enhance the visual impact of the film, so the darker tones and muted colors are intentional, so don’t freak out. Within the specified range, the image looks excellent and sharp, free from compression errors and print damage. Colors, despite their muted tones, still manage to look bright, and flesh tones are natural and free from distortion. Contrast seems overly dark, but that’s the way it’s supposed to appear. Shadows are well defined and detail is very high, even in the darkest of places.
Audio: How does it sound?
The audio is replicated via a Dolby Digital 5.1 track, but the surrounds have the night off, with most of the audio sticking to the front channels. There is some surround use, but it is minor and infrequent. This is not a bad thing though, since the movie is driven by dialogue, which resides in the front channels. Dialogue sounds perfect, with no volume issues and high grade clarity.
Supplements: What are the extras?
On this disc you will find talent files, the theatrical trailer, and some hidden trailers as well, if you scour the cast biography pages.
