I loved the claustrophobic atmosphere and the darkness, and the acting was even solid, but the story was sorely lacking.Converting a stage play to film can be a difficult task, but as long as the actors maintain the drama, then all is well. The troupe did just that, but the story's revelations were hum-drum and very mediocre. Even the "surprises" left me with no emotional response. As far as stories go, the subtleties in the movie didn't have the "big bang" effect they should have. That's because the essence, the mystery of the tale, was nothing new or intriguing. If the narrative was more gripping and unique, then the subtleties (what little there were actually) would have been far more poignant.Some list this as a horror movie, but it isn't at all. As for a drama, definitely - but as far as the suspense or thriller aspect, not by a long shot.

Word of mouth led me astray. I was pretty much let down. There were a few good moments, but not enough for me to really enjoy this dramatic slice of awkward darkness. Sarah(Clare Kramer)pulls off of old Route 66 on a stormy night. There in the middle of nowhere she is able to spot the rundown mainly non-functioning Armadillo Cafe. Behind the counter she meets Billie(Lori Heuring), recognizably the brightest of a dysfunctional family. There is Mother Let(Betty Buckley)and the mentally challenged Wyatte(Brad Renfro); plus the paranoid and bit militant Jesse(Johnathon Schaech). The roadside diner is full of novelties like a sentimental stuffed armadillo and mummified man believed to be a member of this weird family. The storm is heavy and noisy as Sarah seeks out answers to her past as well as an understanding of the secrets and lies that probably cover up murders among the family. The young traveler gets wrapped up in the turmoil and boiling emotions; but actually finds herself back on her way down the highway.Also in the cast are Jodi Lynne O'Keefe, Busy Philipps and Wade Williams. Some of the worst movies turn out actually good; some just stay bad.

Another case of a stage play taken to the screen with no adaptation. There is a different dynamic for stage dialog versus movies, and it is painfully obvious as the characters deliver lines with no sense of pace. It comes off as a bunch of people just saying lines *at* one another. That's just one of the things that's wrong with this movie. What's worse is the loose, relatively incoherent plot. The simplistic relationship between the characters leads to a letdown when the final "dark secret" is revealed. The film tries for an intense, psychological edge; but the intensity never escalates beyond a bunch of people screaming and waving various weapons at one another, and the psychology never gets much beyond Psych 101.

I saw this movie at a film festival in Houston. Unfortunately, the only laudable aspect of this film was Brad Renfro's performance. Outside of his character and delivery, the movie came up short on its suspense, drama, depth, and ultimately, quality.Despite a cast of potentially capable actor and actresses, the storyline was so far-fetched that the people and situations were too much for even a mammoth-sized suspension of disbelief. One ridiculous, inexplicable scene after another left you asking if how on earth any one town could have so many utterly insane people walking around on a daily basis. Unintentionally, it was like a fast-paced and unnuanced David Lynch movie that had the cinematography of Dawson's Creek and the suspense of a Meg Ryan romantic comedy.