Cady's Take:

Clay Pigeons carries a tone somewhat similar to Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train. This film also has an eclectic little soundtrack, with several well-chosen Elvis tunes blaring during some of the most gratifying scenes. Clay Pigeons is creepy, it's funny, it's horrifying, and it’s very satisfying. Fans looking for slice 'n' dice gore won't find it here.

Vince Vaughn is dynamite as an amoral braggart who goes from charming to homicidal in an instant. Lester Long is a conspicuously cocky trucker with a 10-gallon hat and a belt buckle you could fry an egg on. Vaughn, with his big smile and nervous giggle, makes a great psychotic. Lester remains an enigma, a charming womanizer whose mask occasionally slips just enough that we begin to suspect the depths of his depravity.

The entrance of Janeane Garofalo (The Truth About Cats and Dogs) as a mildly sarcastic investigating FBI agent is one of the best parts of the film. Garofalo is an ideal choice to display the sharply sophisticated humor of the only intelligent character in the tale. Talk about bad luck: This agent finds herself investigating a case in a hick town where the town deputy is really named Barney. While the script has a number of gaps of logic, mostly involving Garofalo's investigation, "Clay Pigeons" is the kind of movie in which you're just having too much fun to care.

As far as Joaquin Phoenix is concerned he remains In Vince Vaughn’s shadow throughout the entire movie. I personally love Joaquin and he was one of the reasons I wanted to rent this film. But after being introduced to Vince’s character I didn’t mind Joaquin being placed on the back burner! His character was simple and he portrayed Clay well, Phoenix has a marvelous emotional transparency that allows us to empathize with every character he plays.

This movie pulls off an interesting plot involving murders galore, plenty of sexcapades, goofy country folk, and a bizarre yet effective soundtrack to blend it all together. If you're a fan of the latest thrush of “feel bad” movies in the style of "Pulp Fiction" and "True Romance" as I am, and have a taste for a constantly twisting plot, you'll love this movie.

After seeing Vince Vaughn in “Old School” a couple of weeks ago, I told everyone I knew that he stole the movie – not an easy thing to do when you co-star with Will Ferrell. After seeing “Clay Pigeons” I am convinced that Vaughn might be one of the most talented actors in movies today. I never realized the extent of his range; he was always great in dramatic roles like in “Return to Paradise” and “The Cell” (both solid rentals) but I had no idea how funny he was. He has great timing, but more importantly he has enthusiasm for the humor; you can tell Vaughn likes these guys he is playing. He is by far the highlight of this movie and I think a gifted character actor – that is a useful trait in a leading man.

The premise – small town Montana boy Clay (Joaquin Phoenix) becomes involved in a series of unfortunate situations and unfortunate murders as well; his degree of fault varies by victim. At the same time, Clay makes the acquaintance of Lester, a fast-talking, always-smiling, lady-loving guy whose laugh doesn’t just make you wonder if he is crazy, it assures you that he is. As the two strike up an unusual friendship, Sheriff Mooney (Scott Wilson) begins to suspect Clay is the common denominator in these murders. As Clay looks for a way out, he finds himself in a rock-and-a-hard-place situation with Lester who – what do you know – is a serial killer! Janeane Garofalo is hilarious as the smart-alecky FBI agent on Lester’s tail and I think that Scott Wilson’s pensive, thoughtful portrayal of the local sheriff was a nice balance on the other, lighter characters. This movie even has a deputy named Barney – perfect touch.

The set design was excellent in this movie – I like a film that can use a rural setting without making the redneck analogy. These characters are not rednecks – just people making one mistake after another….except maybe for Lester. This movie is funny, and even better, smart. I like a movie that solves its problems but I LOVE a movie that solves them with creativity.