Jackpot

This film is not just that typical on the road Middle America odyssey, with frequent stops in kitschy bars and dusty diners. Jackpot has a well written script with a strong focus on character development and interaction. Gries and Morris work well together as a fly-by-night duo. Gries' goofy but personable character allows his mediocre singing to be quite intriguing. The witty dialogue was enjoyable and consistent throughout the film. Most notable is Garret Morris' performance. The film was a clever attempt to show two zealous characters struggle for an unrealistic, waste of a goal. You can't help but be envious of their carefree attitude and at the same time loathe their divergence from ideal responsibilities. It's realism allows for a vicarious experience and an appreciation of great screenwriting.

In "Jackpot", the Polish brothers tell the story of a character who is more curious than interesting - a soap-selling professional karaoke hustler (Gries) with his own agent (Morris) and impossible dreams of making it as a pop singer. The film has a good premise and an excellent execution but is doubtless destined to be one of those fringe indies with earnest integrity which flies in the face of limited market appeal. An enjoyable watch for those into films about quirky, down-and-out type characters. (B-)

Attached to every dream there is a ticking clock, an acceptable window of opportunity. When that window closes it's time for the dreamer to "Give it up", and "Get a life", or run the risk of society labeling them a pathetic loser. An unfair stigma if you ask me. Jackpot's Sunny Holiday (Jon Gries) is one such dreamer, whose dream it is to make it big as a singer. His unorthodox means to that end is to hit the road and compete in a string of Karaoke contests, which he and his manager Les (Garrett Morris) hope will bring him exposure and much needed prize money to keep the show on the road and the dream alive.

It's a seemingly harmless pursuit, but society has another label for Sunny - "deadbeat", as in "deadbeat dad". Unless slipping the odd lottery ticket into the mail from time to time is considered acceptable fulfillment of child support obligations, Sunny falls a little short in the parenting department. But he means well, dammit, and if, as they say, "the road to hell is paved with good intentions", then that must be the road that Sunny and Les travel down in their pink 80's model New Yorker, en route to Jackpot, Nevada. It's a road littered with broken dreams and broken dreamers, and paved with the cruelty of hope. The hope that lies in every new town, where there always awaits a new contest, a new chance to win and a new chance to forget the past and make everything all right.

Jackpot, the second offering from Mark and Michael Polish (Twin Falls Idaho), is a wonderful, often hilarious and oddly touching film. Driven by the inspired lead performances of Jon Gries and Garrett Morris, and deliciously peppered by a never-ending string of cameos and supporting turns by an eclectic ensemble cast that includes Daryl Hannah, Patrick Bauchau, Peggy Lipton, Crystal Bernard, Mac Davis, and Anthony Edwards, Jackpot is a refreshingly original tale full of heart and humor and told with a stunning visual style and a dreamy vibe that has the Polish Brothers' thumb prints all over it. A rare film, this is the type of movie that reminds me why movies are made. I thoroughly enjoyed Jackpot and recommend it very highly to movie audiences this summer...and beyond.

The Polish Brothers' "Jackpot" is a unique and well crafted, but unfortunately flawed little movie about determination and the weight carried that can cause one to let go of their dreams. It is as entertaining as it is long, but endless on creativity. It is a bizarre, unpredictable trip following a mysterious kareoke singer named Sunny Holiday and his even stranger counterpart Lester Irving. Both are pathetic in their obsessive desires, but also oddly motivated. Sunny was a family man who sets out to find himself, and a future singing at bars and lounges. He does have his success, mainly because of Irving's help. The film has an ironic, sarcastic tone, floating across the Mid-Western lounge scene introducing many wonderful characters. The Polish Brothers are excellent filmmakers and add a distinct humor and style to this original sophmore effort. At times the film seems aimless, and going in circles (or not anywhere at all)...it seems to go on for a very long length yet it manages to eventually take off with the help of a lot of clever ideas (notably the brilliant structuring). But the greatness in storytelling makes "Jackpot" a one of a kind winner. It is such beautiful and original filmmaking. Life on the road is captured with such a genuine feel as the two mysterious men drive about in their pink car and encounter many weird and appealing characters. The high definition cinematography is pretty amazing as well…reminiscent of Kubrick's "Eyes Wide Shut."

A simple story about a simple man....with more in his head than his brain can process. He sits in his car, rewinding and fast-forwarding his favorite song as he "spins" through the high and low points of his marriage and singing "career." Bizarre flick brilliantly cut! The film, I am told, was shot on 24p Hi Def video. Bravo.....looks like Film! Great color too! A technological must see.