Freeview film of the day (UK) : Monday 3rd of June

Buffalo '66  (1998 109min.) [Film4 11.15pm &+1]

Drama starring Vincent Gallo and Christina Ricci. On his release from prison, Billy Brown coerces dance student Layla into helping weave a tall story for his emotionally distant parents, who are unaware of his jail term. Meanwhile, Billy plans revenge against the man responsible for his incarceration.

Writer/ director/ lead actor Vincent Gallo isn't an easy man to like either in real life or in his on-screen characterisations; however Buffalo '66 works largely because Gallo's character is such an utter waste-of-space loser.

His relationships, with bored student Chrstina Ricci and his long-suffering parents (Ben Gazzara and Anjelica Huston, both excellent) are at the heart of the film and, no matter how loathsome we find Billy Brown, the possibility of personal redemption sustains our interest.

As does the sharp, witty script and the interesting direction that makes use of a clever twist on the use of flashbacks within the narrative.

Not essential, but an interesting film (probably Gallo's best) with plenty of interest if you can get past the surface nastiness.