Why so much hype?

Thanks for the memories!

I saw this movie before reading any reviews, and I thought it was very funny. I was very surprised to see the overwhelmingly negative reviews this film received from critics.

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

Billy Bob Thornton plays Lonnie Earl Dodd, a car salesman in Arkansas, with his wife Darlene (played by British actress the late Natasha Richardson). With their best friends, a couple Roy (played by the late Patrick Swayze) and his wife (played by South African actress Charlize Theron). Natasha Richardson would pass away years later but she uses her acting abilities to play Darlene with complexity rather than a Southern caricature. When you watch her here, she isn't acting royalty or her training at Central School of Drama and Speech. Her Darlene fits in with the cast. Texan Patrick Swayze who too passed away is also believable as his best friend Roy. The foursome seem to have fun in this movie about two couple spending a vacation in Reno, Nevada. Billy Bob Thornton have tried and succeeded in displaying an often ignored part of America on film. He's become one of my favorite actors, writers, and directors.

Waking Up in Reno was an absolute surprise. I saw a new (lighter) side of Billy Bob Thornton, the leader of the pack on this road trip (or so he envisioned.) More please! The oh-so-likable Mr. Swayze has amazing instincts selecting roles, and offers just the right performance. Here each character is played for real and to perfection. Between the four of them, I couldn't stop laughing; it literally brought tears to my eyes. This movie is well-written; the comedy, the drama, have an authentic feel. The Director, to be sure, a skilled observer with a comedic eye. I haven't felt so entertained in a long time. I didn't have lofty expectations or preconceived notions, I'm happy I went along for the ride. As far as I'm concerned it's good material presented by the best in the business. A lucky find. See it!

I've seen some crappy movies in my life, but this one must be among the very worst. Definately bottom 100 material (imo, that is).We follow two couples, the Dodds (Billy Bob Thornton as Lonnie Earl and Natasha Richardson as Darlene) and the Kirkendalls (Patrick Swayze as Roy and Charlize Theron as Candy) in one car on a roadtrip to Reno.Apparently, Lonnie isn't too happy with his sex-life, so he cheats on his wife with Candy, who's despirately trying to have a baby. Roy, meanwhile, isn't too sure if his sperm is OK so he's getting it checked by a doctor.Now, I had read the back of the DVD, but my girlfriend didn't, and she blurted out after about 20 minutes: 'oh yeah, she's gonna end up pregnant but her husband can't have any baby's'. Spot on, as this movie is soooo predictable. As well as boring. And annoying. Meaningless. Offensive. Terrible.An example of how much this movie stinks. The two couples set out in their big car towards Nevada, when they are stopped by 2 police-officers, as they didn't stop at a stop-sign. The guys know each other and finally bribe the two officers with a case of beer. Not only is this scene pointless and not important (or even relevant) for the movie, it takes about 5 minutes! It's just talk and talk and talk, without ever going somewhere.I still have to puke thinking about the ending though. Apparently, Roy ISN'T having problems down there so he IS the father of the child. How many times does that happen in the movies... try something new! The cheated wife ultimately forgives her husband and best friend for having the affair and they all live happily ever after. Yuck.Best scene of the movie is right at the end, with a couple of shots of the Grand Canyon. Why couldn't they just keep the camera on that for 90 minutes?One would expect more from this cast (although Thornton really tries), but you can't really blame them. Writers, shame on you!1/10.

We rented this movie not knowing what to expect. I like all the stars and that is what made me pick this movie off the shelf. It was highly entertaining. We laughed through the entire move. We even watched it twice.