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Poster for Happy, Texas

Happy, Texas

Escaped convicts disguised as beauty pageant experts? This could get ugly.

1999 · 1h 38m · PG-13 Comedy, Crime
Directed by Mark Illsley

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Overview

Two escaped convicts roll into the village of Happy, Texas, where they're mistaken for a gay couple who work as beauty pageant consultants. They go along with it to duck the police, but the local sheriff has a secret of his own.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
81%
Tomatometer
Fresh

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.

Emanuel Levy, Variety
Fresh

A charming fish-out-of-water romantic comedy, the modestly budgeted Happy, Texas more than makes up in heart what it lacks in splash.

Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Fresh

Happy, Texas is a hoot, a hilarious comedy that's smart and caring, yet sexy and ingenious enough that it just might stir up some of that elusive Full Monty-style box-office appeal.

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Fresh

This is one of those comedies that doesn't pound us on the head with the obvious, but simply lets us share vast amusement.

Roger Ebert, At the Movies
Fresh

...a wellspring of sweet, effervescent humor that reminds us that comedies don't have to be all about fart jokes and bathroom humor.

James Berardinelli, ReelViews

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