This is a well-oiled little film that flows back and forth between characters seamlessly. Filled with laughs over things you know you shouldn't be laughing at, but they are so ....

No slick filming, just down home, small town life and it's filmed that way.

I could have done without the character Olivia Newton-John played, but she was funny while doing it! And it isn't her fault, the character just seems to be something tossed in because she was there.

While it's funny, it has some things to say. Enjoy!

Recognizing the recent passings of Olivia Newton-John and Leslie Jordan would add a certain poignancy to the film, I came back to this 2000 guilty pleasure from Del Shores. It's the familiar story of a gay WeHo actor who struggles with coming home to face his small town relatives for his grandmother's funeral. Clearly based on a stage play, the movie has long dialogue-heavy scenes with few cuts, but the one-liners still land on target. Standouts remain the always underrated Bonnie Bedelia, a fully liberated Delta Burke, and Jordan who brings true heart to his cross-dressing outcast role. In more of an observational part, Olivia plays sort of a trailer trash version of her "Xanadu" muse with her "Physical" outfit.

I am usually one who loves effects and huge KABOOM flix. Gimme Eye Candy, or get off my screen!

But once in a great while, someone will bring out an Indy (May, Ginger Snaps, Brotherhood of the Wolf) which grabs me and won't let go. This is one of those jewels.

Based on small town life in Texas, this wonderful story rings true all across the Deep South of the US. If you're not from the US (at least), you probably won't understand the truthfulness of this work; how true to life these characters are. I honestly felt like I was down home, visiting my family. No other movie (Sweet Home Alabama, Under Siege, Stone Cold, Forrest Gump) has made me feel more like I was sitting in Aunt Mary's parlor, enduring another day in the life, than this production.

They wanted to catch the feel of the moment. They wanted to expose the way life really IS in the Deep South. They succeeded on a level I have never before experienced. It was brilliantly witty and heart touching.

The story itself was wonderful, the dialog was brilliant, the sets and costuming were inspired, accents were beautiful and not forced (Jessica Simpson's Daisy Duke), and the thespians submit dead on portrayals.

This one is not for the kiddies (unless they are FROM the Deep South in which case they've probably heard and seen worse), but is wonderful inspiration for anyone who is homesick. This movie will either break you down and make you buy that ticket home, or will give you the resolve to stay put by reminding you why you don't live there anymore!

I give it 10/10 on the Indy Scale. That's a solid 8/10 on the A Scale from...

the Fiend :.