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Happy, Texas

Play trailer Poster for Happy, Texas PG-13,  1999,  1h 44m,  Comedy/ LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 81% 54 Reviews Tomatometer 55% 5,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
81% Tomatometer 54 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
When bank robbers Harry (Jeremy Northam) and Wayne (Steve Zahn) escape from prison and stumble into the tiny Texas Panhandle town of Happy, they're mistaken for the gay couple who were scheduled to help plan the town's child beauty pageant. As the criminals take advantage of the misapprehension to lie low while planning their next heist, complications include the local sheriff (William H. Macy) and his attraction to Harry, and Wayne's feelings for schoolteacher Ms. Schaefer (Illeana Douglas).
Happy, Texas

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A smart, light-hearted romantic comedy, Happy, Texas uses its well-written script and exceptional cast to prove there's still life left in the fish-out-of-water caper genre.

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Critics Reviews

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Emanuel Levy Variety Jan 29, 2007
B-
Steve Zahn shines in Illsley's feature debut, elevating this eccentric small-town comedy two notches above the level of writing. Using the fish out of water format, this Sundance premiere begins well but then declines rapidly. Go to Full Review
Philip Kemp Sight & Sound Dec 2, 2002
4/5
...although it reverts to slapstick for its set-piece chase finale, for most of its length Mark Illsley's debut film offers an unexpectedly gentle, even sentimental comedy of sexual identities... Go to Full Review
Jeff Strickler Minneapolis Star Tribune Nov 6, 2002
4/5
A charming fish-out-of-water romantic comedy, the modestly budgeted Happy, Texas more than makes up in heart what it lacks in splash. Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews May 12, 2024
2.5/4
...a larger-than-life premise that’s employed to watchable yet decidedly forgettable effect... Go to Full Review
Joe Leydon The Moving Picture Show Sep 3, 2021
"Happy, Texas" is a fresh, frisky and very funny feel-good comedy that delights in upending expectations by avoiding cheap shots and demeaning caricatures. Go to Full Review
Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 10, 2020
3.5/4.0
It is a film I love, a film I watch regularly, and a film that makes me laugh each and every time. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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George L Jul 12, 2018 Saw this movie in 2018 for the first time, but wish I saw it sooner. Steve Zahn is one of my favorite lesser-known actors, even though he's been acting for around 20 years, and played a good part in this movie -- his range is good. Also stars Ron Perlman and William H. Macy. See more
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Happy, Texas

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Mark Illsley

Director

Jeremy Northam

Harry Sawyer

Steve Zahn

Wayne Wayne Wayne Jr.

William H. Macy

Sheriff Chappy Dent

Ally Walker

Josephine "Joe" McClintock

Illeana Douglas

Doreen Schaefer

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Happy, Texas

Happy, Texas (1999) Happy, Texas (1999) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When bank robbers Harry (Jeremy Northam) and Wayne (Steve Zahn) escape from prison and stumble into the tiny Texas Panhandle town of Happy, they're mistaken for the gay couple who were scheduled to help plan the town's child beauty pageant. As the criminals take advantage of the misapprehension to lie low while planning their next heist, complications include the local sheriff (William H. Macy) and his attraction to Harry, and Wayne's feelings for schoolteacher Ms. Schaefer (Illeana Douglas).
Director
Mark Illsley
Producer
Mark Illsley, Rick Montgomery, Ed Stone
Screenwriter
Ed Stone, Mark Illsley, Phil Reeves
Production Co
Miramax, Marked Entertainment
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Comedy, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 8, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.9M
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Surround
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