The Problem with this movie...
I'll start by saying (IMO) the movie was alright, not that good but I've seen ALOT worse. That being said this is the problem with this movie(again,IMO)...
(aside from the complete lack of realism for a PRISON picnic)
The movie constantly goes back and forth between dark comedy and heart wrenching drama, while trying to be suspenseful all the while. The transitions are clunky and awkward and the film never really decides what it wants to be. Throwing in these unneccesary creepy scenes with ominous music throwing the balance even more out of whack. If the movie had stuck to off-beat dark comedy about a dysfunctional family, it would've worked. If it had stuck to heart-wrenching drama about a dysfunctional family, it would've worked. If it had left out the creepy vibes, if the character Buddy was not in it, it would have been better. (Not that I didn't like Clifton Collins, but he was just there to work up the creepy vibe and ultimately the crap he did again, threw the film out of whack.)
All in all a let down given the acting talent(good performance by Renfro, Forbes and the girl who played Barbie, but Malone's was nothing original). Reccomend only if you're on a Brad Renfro or Jena Malone kick.
Current kick: Brad Renfro