Happy, Texas

Directed by Mark Illsley, Happy, Texas follows escaped convicts Wayne Wayne Wayne Jr. (Steve Zahn) and Harry Sawyer (Jeremy Northam) as they steal the identities of gay pageant consultants and make their way towards the title town. It’s a larger-than-life premise that’s employed to watchable yet decidedly forgettable effect by Illsley, as the filmmaker, armed with a screenplay written alongside Ed Stone and Phil Reeves, delivers a perpetually subdued endeavor that never becomes as uproariously hilarious as one might’ve anticipated based on the setup – with, instead, the picture generally boasting a quiet, genial atmosphere that’s reflected in its laid-back execution. It’s clear, then, that Happy, Texas‘ mild success is due almost entirely to the completely compelling (and thoroughly affable) efforts of its various performers, as Zahn and Northam’s tremendously appealing work is matched by a top-notch supporting cast that includes Ally Walker, Illeana Douglas, and William H. Macy. (The latter’s engaging and periodically heartrending turn as a gay police officer remains a continuing highlight within the proceedings, to be sure.) By the time the briskly-paced and crowd-pleasing third act rolls around, Happy, Texas has cemented its place as a watchable (albeit highly erratic) comedy that ultimately does feel like it should be so much better.

**1/2 out of ****