Daltry Calhoun (2005)

7% of critics liked it
(28 reviews)
33% of users liked it
(20,492 ratings)

When seed and sod entrepreneur Daltry Calhoun's (Johnny Knoxville) abandoned ex-girlfriend shows up on his doorstep with the daughter he never knew he had, the reformed ladies' man finds out that you can never truly escape your past -- even when it seems you may have no future. Calhoun is a local… More When seed and sod entrepreneur Daltry Calhoun's (Johnny Knoxville) abandoned ex-girlfriend shows up on his doorstep with the daughter he never knew he had, the reformed ladies' man finds out that you can never truly escape your past -- even when it seems you may have no future. Calhoun is a local celebrity and self-made entrepreneur who made a name for himself by selling locally produced turf that blankets many of the nation's most exclusive golf courses, and his quirky television spots have won the hearts of television viewers across Ducktown, TN. When Daltry's ex-girlfriend May (Elizabeth Banks) arrives unannounced with talented teenage daughter June (Sophie Traub) in tow, she confides that her terminal illness has forced her to seek him out in hopes that he can care for their daughter after she is gone. Despite the early success of Daltry's business and the popularity of his kitschy commercials, things have been looking rather grim lately and Daltry has begun liquidating his assets in hopes of keeping his head above water. Though smitten shopkeeper Flora (Juliette Lewis) has offered financial help to Daltry, the kindly offers have fallen on deaf ears. Now, with the odds weighing heavily against him, Daltry vows to make up for lost time by doing right in the eyes of his family and community and caring for his daughter while getting his business back on track. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Katrina Holden Bronson
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 23, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Feb 7, 2006
Studio: Miramax Films

Critic Reviews

Jan Stuart, Newsday
Southern whimsy, when handled delicately, can produce a precious jewel a la Junebug. In less skillful hands, it can be merely precious.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
Knoxville tries hard and exudes a certain likability, but can't really handle big dramatic moments at this point in his career.
Jami Bernard, New York Daily News
A weird, unpleasant little movie.
Laura Kern, New York Times
Although the film starts off somewhat amusingly, the first-time feature director Katrina Holden Bronson seems to have spent more energy assembling the overbearing soundtrack than expanding on her characters' fractured relationships.
Benjamin Strong, Village Voice
Anyone looking for a paean to the unnatural allure of a sprinklered lawn can see that the grass is greener in Blue Velvet.
Robert Koehler, Variety
A string of scenes in search of a movie.
Stephen Garrett, Time Out New York
The movie has its flaws, but they are few and forgivable.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
It'd be nice if Tarantino would go back to making his own films (which are usually pretty doggoned good) rather than helping out young filmmakers to produce garbage.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Knoxville's character in Daltry Calhoun is in no way vulgar or crude (the movie carries a PG-13 rating for some mild profanity). He, like the movie, is simply bland.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
For all its good intentions, Daltry Calhoun is a predictable, derivative film.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Contains a couple of lovely scenes that are all but smothered by a shambling mess of self-conscious eccentricity.
Jonathan W. Hickman, Entertainment Insiders
Unusual and in places refreshing, Daltry Calhoun is a good natured independent comedy drama independent film fans will endorse.
Kevin Allison, Film Journal International
It seems everyone involved meant well, but this one moves like an empty boat in a pond.
Eric Lurio, Greenwich Village Gazette
There's no reason to see this film, not even on cable. None!
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
Boasts Quentin Tarantino as co-executive producer but falls about as far from that particular tree as one can imagine.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
The old 'Bachelor Father' formula is resurrected with a killer dose of whimsy in this pointedly quirky, almost unbearably dilatory feature.
John Beifuss, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
Newcomer Sophie Traub is a natural charmer who hovers above the confusion like an angel even as her co-stars are sucked into the muck.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Leigh R

A cute feel-good movie. It was okay...
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]In "Daltry Calhoun", Daltry Calhoun(Johnny Knoxville) is on the surface a very successful man, having made his fortune from inventing a new brand of turf.(Daltry's dream is to host a USGA sponsored tournament on a golf course on the property he… More
[font=Century Gothic]In "Daltry Calhoun", Daltry Calhoun(Johnny Knoxville) is on the surface a very successful man, having made his fortune from inventing a new brand of turf.(Daltry's dream is to host a USGA sponsored tournament on a golf course on the property he owns.) Having seen one of his commercials, Daltry's ex, May(Elizabeth Banks), and their daughter, June(Sophie Traub), a precocious 14-year old with dreams of attending Julliard, arrive in town to see him. May is dying and wants to find a good home for her daughter before she dies. But Daltry is actually on the verge of ruin, brought on by the side effects of his invention...[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Daltry Calhoun" is not a bad movie, exactly, but it also has nothing new to say about the changes in life and being prepared for them. The movie tries to rely on a quirky charm which is frankly not there. And Knoxville does make for an awkward lead.[/font]
Leo L

Very funny!