Jon Gries in "Jackpot."

MOVIE INFORMATION

With 10 as a must-see, we give this film a: Stars: Jon Gries, Darryl Hannah and Garrett Morris Director: Mark and Michael Polish Rated: R, with rough language and sexuality Length: 95 minutes

ROCHESTERCRITIQUE

Having seen this film, how would you rate it? 10 5 9 4 8 3 7 2 6 1

By Claudia Puig
Gannett News Service

(October 19, 2001) -- Someone neglected to tell Mark and Michael Polish -- the twin brothers behind the inspired Siamese-twin indie-drama Twin Falls, Idaho -- that having fun at karaoke's expense has become a tired joke.

Jackpot is essentially a one-gag film about an aspiring singer jokingly named Sunny Holiday (Jon Gries) touring the competitive karaoke circuit.

Sunny is beset by his harridan ex-wife (Darryl Hannah), who seeks child support in a manner more substantive than random lottery tickets he sends her.

He desperately woos conquests on the road, then sells them Amway-style bottles of concentrated soap.

Sunny's manager (former Saturday Night Live cast member Garrett Morris, who also appeared in Twin Falls and threatens to steal the movie here) urges Sunny not to commit himself to any demographic group, lest he lose one album in sales (as if a karaoke singer would merit a manager, even a low-rent one).

Cameos by past TV stars such as Crystal Bernard, Peggy Lipton and Mac Davis are lackluster.

However, Anthony Edwards' role as Sunny's brother, who's even more of a deluded dreamer, is comically quirky.

As stylishly as the Polish brothers present their material, it doesn't add up to much in either humor or emotional resonance.