This is surely the worst film I've seen in the last decade or two. It is difficult to imagine that there is a book on which it was based because there are no characters, no plot and no purpose whatsoever. It is a master class on how NOT to write a script and on how NOT to direct a movie. Arne Glimcher had given us in 1992 "The Mambo Kings", with the same Antonio Banderas. This was a very pleasant film and we could expect for a similar result here. But due to the chaotic situation shown it is difficult to say what went wrong here. Of course, the main fault is with the script that amasses a bunch of loose characters and incidents that never relate to each other in any meaningful way. People come and go out of the film without stating what they are doing or what they were called for. If any praise should be bestowed upon anyone at all, that should go to the actors and actresses involved for the bravura and conviction with which they deliver their lines even if these lines don't mean a thing at all. A consummate disaster that should be avoided at all costs.

From the beginning, this film has a feel of a pseudo Coen Brothers flick, rich with eccentric characters and southern appeal. But the writing fails to deliver the same wit as Ethan and Joel.

Bob Hoskins owns this film, with support from an over the top Antonio Banderas. Wes Bentley and Kim Dickens were truly horrible in their roles. Neither brought any emotion or depth to their characters, strictly playing their roles blandly.

In the proper hands, this could have been on the same playing field as Raising Arizona, but the scriptwriting failed to take advantage of the eccentric southern setting, and Bently and Dickens just destroyed any decent feelings I had for this film.

All that being said, it is a decent rent. Bob Hoskins shines, overshadowing Antonio and Swoosie Kurtz was riot as an Elvis obsessed yokel, but the writing just missed one opportunity after the other.

A movie with Hoskins, Banderas, Barkin & Bentley. Can't be bad, you might think. You would be wrong. I only saw it through to the end because I was suffering from the flu, my back was welded to the sofa and my kids were out of shouting distance to pass me the remote. In all seriousness, I cannot think of any reason to suggest that anyone should watch this, it is just plain ludicrous.