Crazy Like a Fox

Nothing at the 2004 Savannah Film Festival was quite as frustrating to watch as the non-dimensional, feature-length helping of twisted Southern principles, "Crazy Like a Fox." The plot: A man sells his house to rich snobs and, after being tricked, changes his mind. He manages to conjure up the support of his fellow Southern folk in an effort to drive the outsiders out of their town. U.K. actor Roger Rees plays Nat Banks, a Virginian farmer who even after living his whole life in the South still hasn't been able to stop speaking with a British accent (seriously, he does, and without explanation).

The bad guys, played like cartoon characters, manage to purchase Nat's house fairly and squarely. Unable to deal, Nat begins camping out on their property. Eventually, he musters the courage to seize the house with the support of the police, judges and anyone else who doesn't care about breaking the law.

Perplexing and ultimately unsettling, "Crazy Like a Fox" argues that law, order and a free market are not valued in Virginia and that rich, snobby people are mean and should be kicked out of small towns. More astounding than this movie being accepted into the film festival is the fact that someone, somewhere, funded this 98-minute disaster.

I loved this film. Crazy Like a Fox will touch all of your emotions. A perfect blend of humor and drama. It is hard to compare this film to others I've seen. It is certainly in the league of Funny Bones, and Napoleon Dynamite, but with even more of a heart.

In an infuriatingly plausible plot, Nat Banks (Roger Rees) plays the perfect champion of an individual's right to be brave, stubborn, and insane in a fight to hold on to tradition, honor, and the past. Despite Banks' methods, you root for him (and his long suffering family) to the end. Equally, CLF was beautifully shot, in a way which brings out the beauty of the south.

Richard Squires has written and directed an intelligent, original, and perfectly paced film. More than any other in the past several years, I reflect upon the scenes of this film.

I was delighted to be part of the audience when this film was shown in Washington, DC,at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. The storyline reflected a frequently overlooked "scenario" that is part of many small, southern towns, i.e., the mandatory sale of large, plantation style houses because they are too expensive to maintain in today's economy. I thought each of the actors demonstrated an "honest" portrayal of the emotions and internal conflicts that would be a part of this kind of situation, especially when these homes have been in families for many generations. I also think this movie was sensitive to another part of this scenario that is seldom addressed, because in today's world it is not considered "politically correct." In many instances, some of these changes adversely affected the domestic staff, because they considered themselves to be part of these families. With that being said, I think that Myrrh Cauthen gave dignity and honesty to the role of the housekeeper. And, this story was carried out amid the beautiful scenery that is part of rural Virginia. Great Job.

I saw Mr. Squires film, "Crazy Like A Fox", in Leesburg, Virginia two years ago at a special screening.

I am a filmmaker of mostly documentaries and a transplanted Yankee, who, while watching the film was moved to tears several times – something that never happens.

The message in this film, to me, is a strong sense of the loss of ones home, of land, of tradition, of pride, of culture, of history, and of the environment because of suburban sprawl that is driven by quick cash and greed.

In the opening of the movie it could easily have read, "This film is based on a true story", because this tale is happening all over Northern Virginia right now! The beauty of Virginia's piedmont region is captured well. These visuals, juxtaposed with the voice-over speaking of tradition, family, and roots sent chills through me.

The acting, editing, and directing ranged from good to great.

This film exemplifies the all-too-real land-rape of today created by speculators, developers, and local governments. Someday I hope to personally meet Mr. Squires and thank him for his great work and even greater message.

I loved this movie. I live in an area where the surrounding countryside is being eaten up by fast-growing townhouse communities and their accompanying shopping malls, and where most of the local legislators are too busy slurping at the real estate developers' trough to take any notice of the fast-fading farmland. Crazy Like a Fox shows what happens when neighbors unite to help one of their friends, played wonderfully by Roger Rees. Rees, who mistrusts everyone including his own wife and his good friend the real estate agent , fights back against the forced sale of his estate by moving to a cave on the property. Somehow, Rees manages to make that bizarre action seem like the only rational choice.

Christina Rouner and Paul Fitzgerald, as the wealthy city lawyers who are clearly looking to make even bigger bucks in real estate investments, are terrific. Not only do they look the part -- young, attractive, well-dressed -- but they are both able to convey the subtle signs of "I'm- ever- so- much- better- than- you- are-ism" without forcing the issue. And Howard Koons (in what I gather must be his first movie role) is absolutely wonderful as the hired hand, lack of teeth and all.

Right up there with the acting is the photography. It is achingly beautiful, capturing the Virginia countryside in all its glory. The score, written by the director, is perfect.

Even if your town isn't (yet) threatened by developers, Crazy Like a Fox should still be on your list. This is a thoughtful, beautiful and sometimes very funny movie you'll think about long after the last credit has faded from view.