Crazy Like a Fox

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 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 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.

One of the most beautiful opening sequences ever filmed starts this movie out on a positive note. The actors are so well cast that you will find it hard to believe they are acting. The young and beautiful villains are so very, very real. At the same time the "hero" is older and not very well shaven, but you feel his pain with every scene. He embodies several generations of Southern Gentlemen. He loves his home, his land and his heritage with a love that is palpable and endlessly enduring.

This story wrenches your emotions this way and that as practicality takes a backseat to honor. The well-fare of his well loved previous employees hangs in the balance. A threat to the very existence of his family home forces the hero to make some unusual decisions and bend the law considerably.

The photography is superb. It is both moving and heart-wrenching when one knows that so much of that same land is about to be paved over with "progress". Nature is given a brilliant part in the over all list of characters. And what an actress she turns out to be!

This film should be required "watching" for anyone thinking of exchanging city living for a country experience. Can you tell? I LOVED this film. See it and judge for yourself!

I was pleased to screen this film at my festival:

The Santa Fe

Film Festival... this is a quirky and heart felt dramedy with a strong message. The acting is terrific.

I love the tone. A great story. Definitely worth seeing. You root for the hero. You feel pride for the cause. You can feel the scenery. I also like the feel of times past.

Mary Mcdonnell is a gem. The male lead is also addicting. What a wonderful face. I loved this film. Very well directed. A unique film unlike anything I've ever seen.