I still love this movie. I watch it a couple times a year, and it kills me.
It was so ahead of everything else, in capturing realism.
I've been telling people about the "erect a plaque" line for 15 years now. But you definitely have to see it to really appreciate it.
I'm here, although four months after your post.
I bought this film at a pawn shop for two bucks and thought I'd check it out. I had seen this title at the video store for years and passed it by, assuming it was a teen sex comedy.
Needless to say, I was wrong. I must admit I found the characters to be annoying stereotypes for about two-thirds of the film, but the final third redeemed itself. It's a very honest look at relationships, with good acting and a decent script.
This is an overlooked gem. "Patti Rocks" rocks!
I'm glad you liked it.
You may think the main characters are "annoying stereotypes", but I have known people just like these guys. Actually, I still know some of them.
I don't know your age or gender, but guys, any age, while drinking beer - we do act and talk like this sometimes. It's nothing to be proud of, but the movie captures it brilliantly - with Eddie being somewhat more mature than the child-like Billy - but still being drawn into the juvenile behavior.
It's been so long since I have seen this movie. I sure would like to see it again, but I am not sure how that is going to happen. I remember one specific piece of dialog that I thought was excellent. Eddie was talking to Billy while they were riding in the car. Eddie was explaining how relationships sour over time. The dialog had something like this in it:
"At first, it's great. You want to go to the movies? With you? I'll do anything with you. Later, it's more like, you want to go to the movies? Not with you."
That is nowhere near the dialog, but kind of conveys the sense of it. I thought it was done really well.
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"If stagnation is the ailment, and change the cure...why does puppetmaster where gloves?"
I don't know if you're in the US - but here's where I got my a few years ago.
http://product.half.ebay.com/Patti-Rocks_W0QQprZ3125432QQtgZinfo
I lived in the Twin Cities at the time this was shot, so it had an added element of involvement for me. I knew some of the people who helped in making it as well.
Even though it was made in Minnesota, I think it only played at the Uptown theater. There was a large pad of paper next to the Billy Regis stand-up in the lobby for people to write their comments on. Most comments said "I know someone just like this". Though we felt guilty doing it, my friend and I were quoting Billy's lines from the moment we stepped out of the theater. Our favorite was, "the higher the hair, the bigger the hole".
I've tried to see Mulkey in everything he's done since. It's too bad he rarely plays more than supporting characters, and none like Billy Regis (though Hank Jennings in Twin Peaks was close). He is a very compelling actor.
My VHS copy is fading fast. We need a DVD release!
Goddamn!
I just watched it again last night. I still find this movie amazing. And even though probably no one will read this, I just feel like writing it.
This movie is a classic, and more people should be aware of it. Anyone who liked Sideways would certainly enjoy this.
...probably no one will read this...
Damnnnnn
Seems so much like 2008
I'm here too. Just stumbled on Sideways in a junk store Friday and bought it. Watched it yesterday, but every time I watch it, I think of Patti Rocks. So I thought I would come check out the latest posts. Looks like it is just the same handful of us that have liked it for years!
shareYup, I'm still here too. Glad you liked, Sideways. It's definitely the film that's most similar to this, just many years later on.
Seems strange, all the accolades, awards, and acceptance of Sideways, and yet Patti Rocks got pretty much nothing.