WAKING UP IN RENO

US, 2002, 91 minutes, Colour.
Natasha Richardson, Billy Bob Thornton, Patrick Swayze, Charlize Theron, Holmes Osborne, David Koechhner, Penelope Cruz, Chelcie Ross.
Directed by Jordan Brady.


Waking up in Reno is a marriage comedy for people in midlife.

There is both a comic tone, seen in the introduction to the characters and the animation for their trip from Arkansas to Reno. But there are quite serious undertones in marriages and the friendship between the two central couples.

There is something of a touch of mockery in the presentation of the characters, from the South with their deep accents, presented as something of the equivalent of trailer trash. This is a bit unfair to their basic humanity and their struggles.

Natasha Richardson is very good is Darlene, accent and all, married to Lonnie, Billy Bob Thornton, with a car dealership and television ads to match. However, she is somewhat withdrawn in her marriage, despite her husband’s pleas to her. It is not surprising that he has a short affair with the wife of his best friend. He is played by Patrick Swayze and she by Charlize Theron.

They decide to go on a trip to Reno and there are various humorous adventures on the way. In Reno, all seems to be going well – despite the prostitute in the bar, an unusual cameo from Penelope Cruz at this stage of her career – but the crisis emerges when Patrick Swayze gets results to show that he cannot have children and his wife is pregnant. The film is interesting in showing how each reacts in their own way – as well as how the situation is resolved with some kind of discussion, peace, and Darlene eventually getting self-confidence and joining in her husband’s TV commercials.

1. A romantic comedy for those in middle age? From comic to serious?

2. The light tone, the introductions to the central characters, the map of their trip, laughing with them, laughing at them? Southern types and accents? The touch of mockery?

3. Road trip, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Reno? The road, the diners, Reno and the motel, the Grand Canyon? The musical score?

4. The title, two senses, waking up physically, waking up to themselves?

5. Natasha Richardson as Darlene? Her age, self-image, life, with Lonnie and his dealership, the nature of their marriage, her sexual reticence, the children? Eager for the trip? Wanting to see the Grand Canyon? Lonnie cutting it out because of timetable?

6. Lonnie, his television ads, his character, age, obtuse in understanding Darlene, his wanting her response? His sexual relationship with Candy? Insensitive to her and her throwing things at him? The plan for the trip, getting the vehicle, driving through the Stop sign, the discussions with the police and the bribe of the beer? At the diner, the big stake, eating it, getting $50, being sick? The importance of the timetable? Staying at the motels? The decision to miss out on the Grand Canyon and insensitive to Darlene’s disappointment? Arriving in Reno, Lonnie pleased but, his meanness in the tip? Drinks, the bar, the prostitute cruising the bar, talking with him? The importance of the scenes with Darlene and his pleading to her for some kind of sexual response?

7. Patrick Swayze is Roy, rather slow-witted, friend with Lonnie from school, Candy and her father, his owning the factory, their wedding, the concern about ovulation, his interview with the doctor and having tests? At the factory, his father-in-law and the mistakes with the labels, his kindness to the worker, submitting to his father-in-law? Looking forward to the trip? Enjoying it?

8. The film and the strong emphasis on friendship, confiding in others, being close?

9. The hotel in Reno, the luxury, the role of the man working for the hotel, unctuous, wanting a tip? The girls going out? The boys at the bar? Candy and her wanting to get all the pregnancy tests, the result?

10. Roy and his results, slow on the uptake, Darlene realising what had happened, Candy and her embarrassment, her looking at Lonnie, his indifference?

11. The consequences for all of them? Lonnie and his excuses, Darlene and her anger, leaving, the fight with Candy at the elevator? Darlene going for a makeover, transformed, going to the club to see Tony Orlando, his song for her and her response? Roy and his bewilderment, going downstairs, the encounter with the prostitute, dancing? Candy, sad, talking with Lonnie and Roy arriving and misinterpreting their behaviour?

12. The hotel attendant, his interventions, people turning on him?

13. Tony Orlando, the performances in Las Vegas, his many fans?

14. The final talking things over, people giving way, Candy glad to be pregnant, Lonnie impregnating her instead of some in vitro process? Roy calming down?

15. The resolution – and four of them looking over the Grand Canyon?

16. At home, everything ordinary – except Darlene having more confidence, going to the dealership, Lonnie and his TV ads – and Darlene urging people to
come down and see her?