Buffalo '66 1998

Having just completed a five-year sentence for a crime he didn’t commit, Billy Brown (Vincent Gallo) finds himself in a rush to find a place to relieve himself after being released. Curiously, his first instinct is to attempt to re-enter the prison he just left but is turned away. In an unusual bid to impress his decidedly neglectful parents, played by Ben Gazzara and Anjelica Huston, Billy resorts to kidnapping a dance class student named Layla (Christina Ricci), compelling her to act as his wife.

From the onset, it is evident that Layla harbors romantic feelings for Billy, as she willingly enters into this peculiar situation. However, amidst this bizarre arrangement, Billy must confront his own internal battles, grappling with isolation and depression. It is not until the climax that he ultimately gives permission for Layla to provide him with the affection and solace he has yearned for throughout his life.

Moreover, there’s an intriguing subplot where Billy seeks vengeance on the individual indirectly responsible for his wrongful imprisonment, Scott Wood. This character serves as an homage to the former Buffalo Bills kicker, Scott Norwood, who infamously missed the game-winning field goal during Super Bowl XXV against the New York Giants in 1991. This blend of dark humor and touching vulnerability showcases the complexities of Billy’s character and highlights the themes of love, loss, and redemption.