Billy Bob Thornton, Natasha Richardson, Charlize Theron, and Patrick Swayze star in this redneck road trip comedy that is a twisted mixture of the 1969 wife-swapping classic BOB & CAROL & TED & ALICE and 1997's VEGAS VACATION. Lonnie Earl (Thornton) is a self-centered Little Rock, Arkansas car dealer who is married to Darlene (Richardson). Lonnie is looking for a little excitement, so together with his dimwitted best friend Roy (Swayze) and Roy's wife Candy (Theron), the foursome decide to make a trip to Reno, Nevada for a monster truck extravaganza. They grab a fully loaded S.U.V. from Lonnie's lot, fill up the cooler with Pabst Blue Ribbon, and hit the road. However, what initially begins as a fun-loving good time for the seemingly happy married couples quickly takes a turn for the worse. While newlyweds Candy and Roy are desperately trying to get pregnant, it occurs to the group that Candy might already be pregnant--with Lonnie's baby. Together Thornton, Swayze, Richardson, and Theron are riotously funny in this down-home comedy made all the more poignant with its big hair, snakeskin boots, and backwater accents.
Theatrical release: October 25, 2002 (LIMITED)
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Letterbox - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
Making Of
Audio Commentary
Deleted Scenes
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Distributor Notes: Waking Up In Reno
Oscar(R)-winner Billy Bob Thornton (SLING BLADE, Best Adapted Screenplay, 1996; MONSTER'S BALL) and Charlize Theron (THE CIDER HOUSE RULES) are matched with Patrick Swayze (DIRTY DANCING, GHOST) and Natasha Richardson (BLOW DRY) in a fun and sassy romantic comedy where two married couples discover there's more to their friendship than meets the eye! Not long after Roy (Swayze) and Candy (Theron) and Lonnie Earl (Thornton) and Darlene (Richardson) arrive in Reno on their dream vacation together at the Monster Truck Show, these Arkansas natives learn they're sharing more than a two-bedroom suite! With side-splitting laughs and a sizzling cast, let yourself go ... because you?re sure to enjoy this fun-filled guilty pleasure!
Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
Director of Photography
William A. Fraker: Legendary cinematographer/director
Executive Producer
Jeremy Kramer: Executive Producer, WAKING UP IN RENO (2002)
Executive Producer
Jonathan Gordon: Producer
Music Performer
Tony Orlando: Latino Actor/Singer, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon"
Review 1:
"...[Thornton acts] with deceptive, masterful ease..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.66 02/28/2002
Review 2:
"...Thornton can make just about any line seem droll, and there's a lively unbilled cameo by Penelope Cruz..."
Source: USA Today
p.8E 04/11/2003