Crosswalk.com

Waking Up in Reno

compiled by Jeffrey Overstreet
from Film Forum, 11/07/02

Waking Up in Reno, a new film directed by former comedian Jordan Brady, stars Billy Bob Thornton, Patrick Swayze, Charlize Theron, and Natasha Richardson. It's a sort of marital demolition derby when two couples travel to a monster truck show in Little Rock, Arkansas, and infidelity is exposed.

Movieguide's critic writes, "The foul language is deplorable … as are the sex scenes. In the end, the movie tells viewers that all the infidelity is OK. What baloney!" Paul Bicking says, "Along with the frequent sexual material, the dialogue is thick with crude, obscene and profane comments. Waking Up in Reno is not the place to be."

Holly McClure (Crosswalk) writes, "Not everyone will appreciate this comedy and its brash look at how far friendship goes between two couples. But the story will have you laughing at human nature, being moved by a few emotional moments, pondering if you could forgive your best friend for sleeping with your spouse, and leaving with a smile on your face because of the happy ending that redeems it all."