Patrick Swayze Movie:

Editorial Review:
Shelved for two years before its limited theatrical release, Waking Up in Reno is the kind of comedy that makes you feel guilty for laughing. The lowbrow fun begins when Arkansas car dealer Lonnie Earl (Billy Bob Thornton, perfectly cast) cheats on his wife Darlene (Natasha Richardson) with Candy (Charlize Theron), the wife of his best friend Roy (Patrick Swayze). When the couples pack up Lonnie Earl's ill-fated SUV to see the monster-truck jam in Reno, Nevada, Roy's meager sperm count and Candy's surprise pregnancy result in a series of marital repercussions. Stuck in a no-man's-land between road-trip farce and redneck parody, this comedic misfire trades in dimwit stereotypes and white-trash condescension, showing its age with a thankless hot-Latina cameo by Penélope Cruz. It's painless enough to be watchable, and Thornton's character is a likeable fool as he surveys the damage he's caused. Watch carefully, and you'll find plenty of mostly unfulfilled promise along with a half-hearted chuckle or two. --Jeff Shannon

Waking Up in Reno Reviews:
We Love You Natasha
2009-05-04 - This review is dedicated to Natasha Richardson. (God Rest Her Soul)

This is an interesting movie in that it may APPEAR to be a simple low comedy. But, but, as we get to know these characters more, we see how deep and profound they really are. And there ARE a lot of moral lessons in this film.

The movie starts where we see that Charlize Theron (wife of Patrick Swayzee) and Billy Bob Thorton (husband of Natasha Richardson) have been having an affair with each other. But we also see that they regret their actions, and both want to save their marriage. The 2 married couples plan to go on a vacation to Reno. (As of yet, Natasha and Patrick do NOT know about the affair between Charlize and Billy.)

As they continue on their road trip to Reno, we are gradually introduced to the problems with the marriages (and of course what may have contributed to the Charlize/Billy affair.) Simply put, the passion between Natasha and Billy has disappeared in the daily struggles of their lives. Billy is trying to reawaken it, but he is burdened with a cold nature that naturally turns Natasha off. (If we wanted to defend Billy, we may say that perhaps, he doesn't know how he sounds.)

Another interesting angle is that Natasha and Patrick have an interesting similarity. They are both kind and compassionate, but they don't know how to assert themselves. This leads to them being hurt.

There are well placed moments of comic relief that release the tensions. But there is a 'predictable' but still abrupt moment of discovery which leads to a MAJOR explosion. But what is interesting is that we see Natasha and Patrick suddenly assert themselves.

Tony Orlando is good in his small role.

Overall, it's a great film that offers great comedy, but at the same time, it offers us true pictures of the human condition that can strike close to home.

FINAL NOTE: If you are reading this Liam Neeson, I am very sorry for your loss.

Not sure why they shelved this
2009-03-10 - If this sat unreleased for two years, it's hard to see why since so many worse movies are trumpeted every week. This is a solid redneck comedy with an almost all-star cast. Billy Bob and Charlize Theron steal the show, but Patrick Swayze and a British actress really aren't bad at all. There are no belly laughs, but there seldom are in so-called American film comedies. I viewed this without pain in one sitting. You will, too.

Waking up in reno
2008-10-24 - Waking Up in Reno
Some big name actors that did work well together, not a single one stole the show from the other but worked in harmony to tell this story of friends taking a vacation together but had complications in their relationships that ended up being funny as things was revealed! A must see for any couple that want a laugh for serious situations.

hilarious and entertaining
2008-08-15 - I ordered Waking up in Reno and absolutely loved it. I caught a portion of it on tv and just had to order one for myself.

First copy was lost in mail but Amazon rushed me one in 2 days at no extra charg. I was very satisfied with the movie and Amazon.

Vicki C, Tulsa

Woefully devoid of laughs or drama
2008-07-05 - Labelled a `sleeper' and hidden gem, this is anything but - unless they were referring to a tendency to sleep through the movie..
A sizzling cast are completely squandered in one of those `what were they thinking of?' movies.
Patrick Swayze plays a dimwitted husband to Charlize Theron, and as the movie starts they are about to go on vacation to Reno with their best friends, used car salesman Billy Bob Thornton and his wife Natasha Richardson. However, much supposed `hilarity' ensues as it all goes wrong, not least because Billy Bob has been sleeping with Theron - how hilarious! Thornton plays a thoroughly unlikeable used car salesman so convincingly we just don't feel any of the sympathy we are supposed to feel for him at his wifes aloofness, Richardson makes the only discernible character arc as she loses the dungarees and frumpy look at the end to reveal the 'new her' (yawn), and Theron plays the confused sexpot figuring out if she did the right thing getting married to an idiot. By the end you'll be convinced she didn't, but the movie would have you think otherwise. There is not a sympathetic character among them except perhaps for Swayze's character, who could be sympathetic if he was not played so dumb that we just don't care any more by about half way through. Perhaps there is some satire going on here, revealing this trashy side to the American dream.. but if that's what it is, the message is very confused. It seems to be saying - "Hey, has your husband gone and cheated on you? Well throw a tantrum then make up because it was all your own fault for not giving him enough sex" - very dubious.
Needless to say, they reach Reno, much shouting, revelations and would-be side-splitting antics follow as all is revealed and we wonder who will forgive who.
How such a cast ended up in this empty farce I can't imagine... Hey, if all you want to see is Theron in her undies - go right ahead, but don't go looking for depth or substance, or even a few guilty laughs... this turkey is devoid of all of those. (3/10)