Happy, Texas (1999)

82% of critics liked it
(51 reviews)
52% of users liked it
(7,557 ratings)

Happy, Texas is a fish-out-of-water comedy about two con men who escape from prison, then pose as gay lovers to hide out in a small Texas town. Mistaken for consultants to the Little Miss Fresh Squeezed Beauty Pageant, Harry (Jeremy Northam) and Wayne (Steve Zahn) go along with the ruse so they can… More Happy, Texas is a fish-out-of-water comedy about two con men who escape from prison, then pose as gay lovers to hide out in a small Texas town. Mistaken for consultants to the Little Miss Fresh Squeezed Beauty Pageant, Harry (Jeremy Northam) and Wayne (Steve Zahn) go along with the ruse so they can stake out the local bank, owned by Josephine "Joe" McClintock (Ally Walker). The story kicks into high gear as Harry starts falling in love with Joe but cannot let on about his feelings. Also complicating matters is that gay Sheriff Dent (William H. Macy) has the hots for Harry, and Harry must pretend he's interested to keep the cops off his back. Meanwhile, Wayne is getting in touch with his feminine side as he tries his best to teach dance steps and flaming baton twirling to the little girls; he's also lusting after the girls' teacher, Ms. Schaefer (Ileana Douglas). Everything leads up to the big beauty pageant, where the cops are finally on Harry and Wayne's tail. First-time director Mark Illsley received wide media attention for this commercial piece, which sold to Miramax after a very public and intense bidding war. Steve Zahn's performance won him a special acting award at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival, where the film premiered in dramatic competition . ~ Arthur Borman, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By: Mark Illsley
Written By: Mark Illsley, Phil Reeves, Ed Stone
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 1, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Oct 2, 2001
Studio: Miramax Films

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, Variety
Steve Zahn shines in Illsley's feature debut, elevating this eccentric small-town comedy two notches above the level of writing. Using the fish out of water format, this Sundance premiere begins well but then declines rapidly.
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune
A charming fish-out-of-water romantic comedy, the modestly budgeted Happy, Texas more than makes up in heart what it lacks in splash.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Happy, Texas is a hoot, a hilarious comedy that's smart and caring, yet sexy and ingenious enough that it just might stir up some of that elusive Full Monty-style box-office appeal.
Susan Stark, Detroit News
Northam provides low-key comic counterpoint to Zahn's hilariously manic turn. Macy's deadpan, earnest sheriff is the one to watch, though.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
Happy, Texas is a good, winning combination of imitation and inventiveness.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
Almost everybody in this not-so-funny comedy is giddy and cuddlesome with a gosh-oh-gee enthusiasm that is at first engaging but quickly becomes a sign of a desperation to be liked.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Every bit as cheery as the title implies--but good will can only go so far.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
first-time filmmaker Illsley displays a surprisingly firm yet gentle hand with both his script and his enormously appealing cast.
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com
Odd couple buddy picture with Rom-Com elements that work. Zhan gives one of his most hysterical performances to date. Lighthearted, watchable, and fun.
Chris Gore, Film Threat
The set-up is so strong that it's impressive to see it progress so effortlessly.
Merle Bertrand, Film Threat
Very, very, tears-rolling-down-your-face funny.
Philip Kemp, Sight and Sound
...although it reverts to slapstick for its set-piece chase finale, for most of its length Mark Illsley's debut film offers an unexpectedly gentle, even sentimental comedy of sexual identities...
James Rocchi, Netflix
Bank-robbery/beauty-pageant caper is sweet, silly fun.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

My husband and I consider this one of our all time favorites. Not only did it have one of my favorite actors, William H. Macy, but the whole subject matter was hysterical. Funny, funny movie.
Megan S

It was okay but definitely not hilarious...I think maybe I laughed once. I think the movie had a lot of potential but it fell flat.
Film C

i pretty terrible film really i wouldnt recomend it to anyone!
_kelly .

great cast take on a complete crap screenplay. enormously un-funny, and barely watchable
Curtis L

The light is green.
Dean M

This film is modest, easygoing and likable, just like the town of the title, with many amusing performances - especially Steve Zahn as a dim bulb who suddenly discovers his talent for choreography.
Leigh R

Funny and adorable.
Marcus W

Another film that doesn't know what to do in the middle before the big reveal when the small town find out they aren't who they thought they were, so it chucks in this seven way love story and forgets about the comedy which is a shame as there was massive potential for… More
Another film that doesn't know what to do in the middle before the big reveal when the small town find out they aren't who they thought they were, so it chucks in this seven way love story and forgets about the comedy which is a shame as there was massive potential for comedy here. Steve Zahn gets most of the laughs while William H. Macy steals the film and is just outstanding, but otherwise it fails.
Leo L

Hilarious!
FanGirl B

Nice little comedy.