Feeling Minnesota

Feeling Minnesota is a darkly comedic crime drama from 1996 that features an interesting cast of characters and plenty of surprising twists and turns. The film stars Keanu Reeves as Jjaks Clayton, a washed-up drifter with a troubled past who returns to his hometown in Minnesota to attend his brother's wedding. Vincent D'Onofrio plays his brother, Sam Clayton, who is a sleazy and manipulative ex-con who has a habit of getting himself into trouble. Meanwhile, Cameron Diaz plays Freddie, Sam's ex-girlfriend who gets caught up in the brothers' schemes.

The story opens with Jjaks getting out of prison and immediately heading back to Minnesota, where he reconnects with his dysfunctional family. He quickly finds out that his brother is in debt to a crooked businessman named Red, who has a habit of using violence to get what he wants. As Jjaks tries to get his life back on track, he gets drawn into a dangerous plot with his brother and Freddie as they try to steal Red's money and escape the town for good.

As the plot unfolds, Jjaks finds himself torn between loyalty to his brother and his growing feelings for Freddie. Along the way, the trio encounters a variety of colorful characters, including a drag queen, a biker gang, and a corrupt sheriff, all of whom complicate their mission.

One of the strengths of Feeling Minnesota is its cast. Keanu Reeves and Vincent D'Onofrio play off each other well as the warring Clayton brothers, with Reeves bringing a quiet intensity to Jjaks and D'Onofrio leaning into Sam's sleaziness. Diaz, meanwhile, shines as Freddie, bringing vulnerability and charm to a character who could have easily been one-dimensional.

The film's setting in rural Minnesota also adds to its unique flavor. The stark expanses of the North Woods and the small-town atmosphere provide a bleak backdrop for the characters' schemes and add to the film's sense of isolation and desperation.

The film's director, Steven Baigelman, infuses the story with a quirky humor that helps balance out the darker aspects of the plot. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments in Feeling Minnesota, often delivered through the film's oddball supporting characters, such as the sheriff's dim-witted deputy or the over-the-top drag queen.

The film's soundtrack also deserves special mention. Featuring music from The Jayhawks, The Replacements, and Soul Asylum, the soundtrack captures the spirit of the local music scene at the time and adds to the film's overall atmosphere.

Overall, Feeling Minnesota is a fun, offbeat crime drama that deserves more recognition than it gets. With strong performances from its leads, a unique setting, and a healthy dose of humor, it's a film that manages to entertain while still delivering on its darker themes.