Crazy Like a Fox

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.

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.

All the world loves a lover and comedy tries to take us into a green world. This movie gives us both. The hero of Crazy Like a Fox loves his literally ancestral home and its traditions and his world is emerald Virginia.

This heart-whole and superbly photographed movie allows its audience to relax. They know or intuit that they're in good hands. The calm authority of director Richard Squires focuses on the human heart and what makes it beat, avoiding tricks, attention-grabbing gimmicks and the latest trend. Instead, he gives his attention to working with Roger Rees, Mary McDonnell and a skilfully selected ensemble cast to create a world of persons, loyalties, friendships and dignified passions. Many movies come from toolkits. This story comes up out of the soil and the traditions of the state that has given us eight presidents and -- although a modern story set in the present -- gives you an idea of what you have to mix together to get a Jefferson or a Washington.

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.

There is nothing complex about "Crazy Like A Fox". It is the straightforward story, really a fairy tale, of a man who through bad luck or being irresponsible, or both, is forced to sell his historically rich Virginia farm. Most certainly the entire movie is both unrealistic, and yet at the same time quite charming. If at times it seems a bit too "warm and fuzzy", that is because it is. The yuppies seem to give up way too easy, and the joyous singing and dancing is overdone. The performances are fine, the scenery is beautiful, but the story lacks realism and depth. I would not call this a comedy, it is more a family feel good movie that will appeal to some, while others will most likely be dozing off. - MERK