Clay Pigeons (1998)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Melvin W

  
  Clay Pigeons is a very odd but good indie thriller. It's David Dobkins; who would later go on to direct the more commercially successful Wedding Crashers, debut film. The plot is entertaining but what really makes the movie is Joaquin Phoenix. Vince Vaughn seems like a weird… More
  Clay Pigeons is a very odd but good indie thriller. It's David Dobkins; who would later go on to direct the more commercially successful Wedding Crashers, debut film. The plot is entertaining but what really makes the movie is Joaquin Phoenix. Vince Vaughn seems like a weird choice for Lester but does do a decent job. David Dobkin showed some promise with Clay Pigeons and Wedding Crashers, but I think he can and will do better.

• Tim S

  
  A very unlikely cast of people in an unlikely production from Scott Free makes for good bedfellows. First and foremost, this is a discussion film. You are NOT given all of the answers at the end of the movie, only the outcome. After you watch it, you'll want to discuss with… More
  A very unlikely cast of people in an unlikely production from Scott Free makes for good bedfellows. First and foremost, this is a discussion film. You are NOT given all of the answers at the end of the movie, only the outcome. After you watch it, you'll want to discuss with someone's whose seen it to make sure that either you got everything right, you didn't understand it at all, or use it an excuse to argue over the plot. If that's your cup of tea, I highly recommend this movie. It's a well-executed thriller comedy that's just a bit rough around the edges. Joaquin shines here. Vince Vaugn, is, well, Vince Vaugn...not perfect, but too damned likeable to dismiss altogether. The supporting cast is also put to very good use. The plot plays out mysteriously and well, even if there are some holes here and there. My complaints lie only in the cinematography and some of the character development (one can look at this film as a forerunner to the perfection that is 'No Country For Old Men'). On a real personal note, I rather liked the plug for 'Alien'. :)

• Aaron N

  
  Sheriff Mooney: Promise me something there, will you? Clay Bidwell: What's that? Sheriff Mooney: Promise you'll stop finding dead people. This is a little known flick from 1998 starring Joaquin Phoenix and Vince Vaughn, before they became big stars. It's a quirky dark… More
  Sheriff Mooney: Promise me something there, will you? Clay Bidwell: What's that? Sheriff Mooney: Promise you'll stop finding dead people. This is a little known flick from 1998 starring Joaquin Phoenix and Vince Vaughn, before they became big stars. It's a quirky dark comedy mixed with a mild noir thriller. It has a plot and style clearly influence by movies such as Fargo, Blood Simple and Strangers on a Train. Director Dennis Dobkin, who would go on to make Wedding Crashers with Vaughn, has been given the chance here to make a quirky character comedy/thriller with visual flare akin to Ridley and Tony Scott, who served as producers on the movie. The story is set in Mercer, Montana. Phoenix plays Clay, whose best friend has just killed himself in an attempt to frame Clay since he had an affair with his wife Amanda (see what I mean by quirky... in a dark way). After Clay deals with the body, his problems continue as Amanda makes his life a living hell for him and more unfortunate incidents occur. Lester Long: You don't know the half of it. I'm like a big fireworks show. I'm pretty bright. Like Lite Brite. A mysterious cowboy character turns up, calling himself Lester (Vaughn) and befriends Clay, attempting to be his friend. From what we can see of Lester, he is a charmer and loves to have a good laugh and go fishing. Problems arise as more bodies turn up, prompting an FBI Agent, Janeane Garofalo, to arrive in search of a serial killer, who has stabbed quite a number of women in the area. You also have the town sheriff, played by Scott Wilson, who may be smarter than he seems to figure out the truth behind the crimes going on. One thing is for sure, Clay is having a rough month. This movie is effective in the same way that most Cohen brother films are. The story is fairly simple, but it revolves around characters that we like to observe. They don't necessarily have an arc, but its nice to familiarize ourselves with them and see what happens next. The three leads are all good, the story works well despite fumbling a bit at the end, it balances the tone well, and the soundtrack is pretty good. Its a fun little movie if a bit dark. Dale Shelby: Whoa, Whoa, Whoa! You're standing in evidence! Sheriff Mooney: Barney! Dale Shelby: Your deputy's name is Barney? That's great.

• Michael G

  
  Not great, not bad.

• Lesley N

  
  Comedy about Joaquin Phoenix, a guy whose acquaintances keep saddling him with dead bodies to deal with. Vince Vaughn, Phoenix and Jane Garofalo are all young and fresh faced, but like the plot, lightweight. The only thing keeping me watchng was the hope that the ineffectual Phoenix… More
  Comedy about Joaquin Phoenix, a guy whose acquaintances keep saddling him with dead bodies to deal with. Vince Vaughn, Phoenix and Jane Garofalo are all young and fresh faced, but like the plot, lightweight. The only thing keeping me watchng was the hope that the ineffectual Phoenix would end up victim too at some point. Did you ever watch a film that's wall-to-wall inplausability kicked off with an unlikelihood to justify the whole shenanigans? Clay Pigeons, my version.... 1) 1st corpse turns up. 2) Clay goes to the police 3) End of story.

• matt s

  
  Vince Vaughn proves his range, even if it is him acting like himself with a country twang. The first hour of this film is pretty fun. Vaughn is electric and funny, and I kind of wanted to see what happens. But, the ending left a sour taste in my mouth, reminding me of Woody… More
  Vince Vaughn proves his range, even if it is him acting like himself with a country twang. The first hour of this film is pretty fun. Vaughn is electric and funny, and I kind of wanted to see what happens. But, the ending left a sour taste in my mouth, reminding me of Woody Allen's Match Point. I hate when films and scripts think people can honestly get away with murder. It's just unrealistic these days. It's an OK story, but it loses its flair midway through.

• Kevin L

  
  This was an interesting movie. A very different role for Vince Vaughn

• Moe E

  
  Clay Bidwell has been having an affair with his friend's wife, Amanda, who in turn catches Clay in bed with a waitress from the local diner. To make his life even more miserable, some oddball truck driver named Lester Long believes that he and Clay have become best buddies. In… More
  Clay Bidwell has been having an affair with his friend's wife, Amanda, who in turn catches Clay in bed with a waitress from the local diner. To make his life even more miserable, some oddball truck driver named Lester Long believes that he and Clay have become best buddies. In the sleepy Montana town in which he resides, death seems to be following Clay. Death has become so much a part of Clay's world that he's asked to stop finding dead bodies. Eventually, the FBI gets involved when it's discovered that a serial killer they've been chasing may be responsible for some of the bodies and Clay becomes the prime suspect in their investigation. Joaquin Phoenix is perfect as Clay, as is Georgina Cates as the trampy Amanda. Sheriff Mooney is played with subtlety by Scott Wilson and Janeane Garofalo is her sarcastic self as Agent Shelby. Surprisingly, it's Vince Vaughn's brilliant portrayal of Lester that makes this dark comedy/crime drama an overall success.

• Haley A

  
  Joaquin is amazing, but of course, when is he ever not?!?!

Read all 9 featured audience ratings