During its short life, Divx, in an effort to build up its scanty catalog, turned to low-volume fare like indie films, that at the time, the studios weren't willing to release to DVD, due to the then-miniscule market for them. Buffalo '66, an eccentric but memorable 1998 effort directed by Vincent Gallo (who also wrote the script and played a lead role), is one of these, and the subject of my last Divx review (the DVD version is similar, so I am including references to it here).

Former Buffalo, NY resident Billy Brown (Gallo), a life-long underachiever, has just been released from prison. Five years previously, he had recklessly bet a large sum with an underworld bookie on a Superbowl game, only to see his team lose when a place-kicker missed a field goal at the end. Unable to pay, Billy had had the choice of facing the wrath of the mob, or being absolved of the debt in return for falsely confessing to one of their crimes, and had chosen the latter. Now free, he has two things on his mind: 1, to convince his unbalanced, uncaring parents that he is a success; 2, to exact revenge on the football player who missed the field goal that cost him his bet, and whom he blames for ruining his life.

As part of his scheme to portray to his parents that he is a successful, married, middle-class man, Billy abducts an insecure young woman named Layla (Christina Ricci) from a tap-dancing class, and demands that she play the role of his wife. Surprisingly enough, she agrees, perhaps because she enjoys the attention, and the two of them set off for his parents' (Ben Gazzara and Angelica Huston) place in Buffalo, who take so little interest in their son that they weren't even aware that he had been in prison. Afterwards, still accompanied by Layla, he begins tracking down the football player (Bob Wahl), who lives in the city and operates a seedy topless nightclub there. Retrieving a pistol he had stored away before his incarceration, he prepares for his revenge. All that stands between him and self-destruction is an unexpected bond that has formed between himself and his by now-companion, as the illusionary relationship between them has become real, tempting him back to the path of life through the promise of some long-missing purpose in his empty existence.

The film is slow paced, and provides a bleak, gritty image of working class suburban New York state, of faded rancher houses, bowling alleys, cheap motels, donut stores, topless bars. Touching at times, quirkily humorous at others, the thought-provoking script is brought to life by excellent performances by both the stars and their supporting cast.

Video: The video is crisp, clean, and presented in 1.33:1 MAR (the DVD has is 16x9-enhanced 1.85:1 OAR), and is crisp and clean.

Audio: Clean, but unspectacular, which is what you would expect from a limited-budget indie film. No subtitles or alternative languages, either on the Divx or DVD versions.

Packaging: Q-pack for Divx version, keepcase for DVD.

Supplements: None with the Divx version; theatrical trailer with the DVD.

Conclusions: This film is very watchable, although it's not for everyone, but at MSRP $24.95 for the featureless DVD version, most will find it a rental, not a purchase.