Buffalo '66
Kwento
In Vincent Gallo's critically acclaimed film "Buffalo '66", we meet Billy Brown, a troubled individual recently released from a five-year prison stint. As Billy navigates the complexities of re-entering society, he becomes fixated on the idea of having someone by his side - someone who will validate his existence and provide companionship in his isolation. Enter Layla, a bright-eyed and curious 8-year-old girl who has just lost her father. Billy sees an opportunity to fill the void left by Layla's absent parent and kidnaps her from a mall food court. Despite her initial terror and confusion, Layla gradually warms up to Billy's peculiarities, and he begins to treat her like a surrogate daughter. As they spend more time together, Billy's true intentions become clear: he is using Layla as a prop to rekindle his relationship with his parents. He presents her as his 22-year-old fiancée, and the trio embarks on a series of awkward and often cringe-worthy encounters. Throughout their misadventures, Billy's character is slowly revealed through a series of flashbacks that explore his troubled past. We see glimpses of his childhood, marked by abandonment and rejection, which have contributed to his current emotional state. His fixation on having someone - anyone - by his side is a desperate attempt to fill the void left by his absent mother. As Billy's façade begins to crumble, he must confront the reality that Layla is just a child and that his attempts at connection are misguided and damaging. The film's poignant climax finds Billy struggling to reconcile his own emotional scars with his responsibility to protect Layla from further harm. "Buffalo '66" is a powerful exploration of loneliness, trauma, and the complexities of human connection. Through its unconventional narrative and Gallo's haunting performance, the film offers a searing indictment of societal norms and our tendency to reject those who are different or struggling. Ultimately, it is a poignant reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope for redemption and healing.