This is one of those movies that is very difficult to rate. It was made 36 years ago, so one can't judge it by modern-day criteria. Overall I didn't like the film, but that's a matter of personal taste, not because it wasn't well-made. The movie itself, for what it intends to be, is pretty solid.
The writing, directing and acting is spot-on. Some people may watch this and consider it absurd, but in truth it echoes small-town life so accurately it's scary. And while one may consider the character Arquette plays as being naive, daft and more than a little loony... perhaps we've known people just like this. Arquette nails the character right on the head. (Those who don't like Arquette because she's "too cutesy" will have a lot to complain about here. They threw that in just for you.)
As much as Arquette steals the stage, one has to give creds to Eric Roberts as the male lead. He's totally believable in his part, and the perfect counter to Arquette's acting. Add to this an entire cast of quirky people and as nuts as they all are-- how many of us recognize our family or friends (or perhaps a bit of ourselves in one of the characters?). This is a movie that as ridiculous as it is, hits too close to reality to be just a comedy.
This is basically a slice-of-life film that focuses on the character's foibles, blunders, idiocy, and in doing so perhaps touches on the audience's own such errors.
Part of me wants to rate this 8 stars for pegging its goal. But one must also relate it to other films in general, and that's the tough part. Finally I decided on 6 stars "better than average". I give it a nod of approval for successfully telling an all-too-common story in a unique, unusual presentation in which the director pulled no punches on small town life... and lands each one.
