Jackpot (2001)
-
29% of critics liked it
(55 reviews) -
45% of users liked it
(503 ratings)
Director Michael Polish and his twin brother Mark, who co-wrote and co-starred in the low-key, yet bizarre Twin Falls Idaho, about a woman who falls in love with a conjoined twin, follow up that modest cult hit with Jackpot. Jackpot is named for the town of Jackpot, NV, said in the film to be… More Director Michael Polish and his twin brother Mark, who co-wrote and co-starred in the low-key, yet bizarre Twin Falls Idaho, about a woman who falls in love with a conjoined twin, follow up that modest cult hit with Jackpot. Jackpot is named for the town of Jackpot, NV, said in the film to be "just across the border" from Twin Falls. Like the Polish brothers' debut, it's well shot by cinematographer M. David Mullen, and is similarly full of odd, deadpan humor, but Jackpot has much more prosaic subject matter. Sunny Holiday (Jon Gries) abandons his wife Bobbi (Daryl Hannah) and their child to go in delusional pursuit of a singing career. Sunny is seemingly unaware of his lack of talent, as he and his stalwart manager Les ({Garrett Morris} of Saturday Night Live fame) travel from one town to another, entering karaoke contests in dive bars. Life on the road has its short-lived rewards, as desperate women occasionally fall for Sunny, despite Les' efforts to keep him out of trouble. But unbeknownst to Sunny, his wife is unhappy with the lottery tickets he sends her in lieu of child support, and she's set a private detective on his trail. One of the first features shot using a Sony 24P digital camera (along with Session 9 and Star Wars: Episode 2), Jackpot captures a grimy life on the road with detailed close-ups and effective deep-focus imagery. The quirky film jumps back and forth in time to match Sunny's playing and rewinding of a tape of his favorite song, George Jones' plaintive "Grand Tour." ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi
- Directed By
- Michael Polish
- Written By
- Mark Polish, Michael Polish
- Genres
- Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Jul 27, 2001 Limited
- On DVD
- Dec 18, 2001
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Classics
Critic Reviews
-
Susan Stark, Detroit News
This is a comedy but the laughter it prompts is dark and parched.
-
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
Because there is no real chance Sunny will triumph -- Rocky this isn't -- we await the end with the same polite, mildly bemused vacancy with which we await the end of a serious karaoke performance, only without the benefit of alcohol.
-
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
The Polish brothers are clearly talented; all they need now is a story that's more interesting than this one.
-
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The Polish brothers are onto something about their view of small-towns in the western part of America...
-
Ted Murphy, Baseline.Hollywood.com
"Jackpot" is a downbeat but effective character study ...
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Jon Gries
as Sunny Holiday
-
Garrett Morris
as Les
-
Daryl Hannah
as Bobbi Holiday
- Kool Moe Dee
- Peggy Lipton
- Anthony Edwards
- Crystal Bernard
- Allen Fawcett
- Adam Baldwin
- Patrick Bauchau
- Suzanne Krull
- Frazer Smith
- Rick Overton
- Gill Gayle
- Mac Davis
- Pamela Clouse
- Mark Polish
- Larry Pennell
- Ricky Trammell
