Watch Clay Pigeons
- R
- 1998
- 1 hr 44 min
-
6.6 (12,238)
Clay Pigeons is a dark comedy film from 1998 that stars Joaquin Phoenix, Vince Vaughn, and Janeane Garofalo. The movie takes place in a small town in Montana, where a young man named Clay (Joaquin Phoenix) leads a mundane life until he's forced to confront a dangerous situation that turns his world upside down. The movie opens with Clay's best friend, Earl (Scott Wilson), committing suicide. Clay is understandably upset and tries to move on with his life, but soon finds himself in an even worse situation when he discovers that his wife (Georgina Cates) is cheating on him with the local sheriff (Vince Vaughn).
Things go from bad to worse when Clay inadvertently kills his wife's lover, and then realizes that he's in way over his head. He tries to cover up the murder, but finds himself being pursued by the sheriff, who suspects him of the crime.
As the movie goes on, Clay becomes increasingly desperate as he tries to keep his crime a secret. Along the way, he meets a mysterious woman named Amanda (Janeane Garofalo) who is more than she appears to be. Despite his misgivings, Clay finds himself drawn to her and begins to confide in her about his troubles.
Amidst all this chaos, the town holds its annual clay pigeon shooting competition, which serves as a backdrop for the film's climax. As the competition heats up, Clay finds himself in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the sheriff. Will he be able to keep his secret hidden, or will he be caught and punished for his actions?
Clay Pigeons is a darkly humorous film that explores the consequences of small-town life and the lengths that people will go to in order to protect their secrets. Joaquin Phoenix gives a nuanced performance as Clay, a man who is continually in over his head but maintains a wry sense of humor throughout. Vince Vaughn is equally impressive as the unpredictable sheriff, while Janeane Garofalo steals scenes as the enigmatic Amanda.
The movie is directed by David Dobkin, who later went on to direct movies like Wedding Crashers and The Judge. He infuses the film with a sense of quirkiness that keeps the audience on their toes throughout. The script, written by Matt Healy, is sharp and witty, with plenty of unexpected twists and turns to keep viewers engaged.
While Clay Pigeons may not be the most well-known movie from the late 90s, it's definitely worth a watch for fans of black comedy and thriller films. The movie has a distinct style that sets it apart from other films of its era, and the performances from Phoenix, Vaughn, and Garofalo are all top-notch.
Overall, Clay Pigeons is a film that balances humor and tension in equal measure, delivering a satisfying story that will keep viewers entertained from start to finish. Whether you're a fan of the cast or just appreciate a well-made thriller, this is definitely a movie worth seeking out.
Clay Pigeons is a 1998 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 46.