Rent Milwaukee Minnesota (2003)

Fargo meets Rain Man - Milwaukee Minnesota review by CP Customer

Albert is a young autistic man with the unusual gift of being a natural fisherman. With the help of his over protective but controlling mother, Albert has amassed a small fortune in prize money through entering local fishing competitions. But when Albert's mother is killed in a hit and run accident, a female opportunist, her hypochondriac brother, and a sleazy hired killer come rolling into town, all looking to take advantage of Albert and steal his money. Set in winter amongst the snow covered landscape of Wisconsin, using vast ice covered lake fishing competitions, fleabag hotels, and empty suburban streets, director Allan Mindel creates an isolating atmosphere for Albert that mirrors his character's sheltered life. Probably more down to a limited budget than artistic reasons, the film has a very real life quality about it; in scenes based within Albert's home you can hear clocks ticking and the wind outside whistling in the background. And scenes shot in outdoor locations, the actors have red cheeks and fingers which highlights the freezing cold winter of Wisconsin. The quality of acting is uniformly good. Randy Quaid is great as the slimey 'Jerry James', Troy Garity pulls off the difficult role of 'Albert' without making the most sympathetic character within the film look either like and idiot or a genius. But it's really Allison Folland as the sassy streetwise 'Tuey' who steals the film. While 'Milwaukee Minnesota' is a film small in budget, it more than makes up for it in unique locations, some superb acting, and a fantastic story which flows along at a breezy pace and also incorporates some clever plot twists.