Allan Mindell, making his film debut, takes us to a part of the country that seem to be in a permanent winter state. The screen play by Richard Murphy places the story in Milwaukee.
We are introduced to Albert, an autistic young man and his over protective mother, Edna. Albert is a champion ice fisher who seems to have a knack for winning tournaments that pay a lot of money. As it's the case with autistic persons, they might appear to be helpless in some areas, but they can be brilliant in others.
Albert has a problem: there are a few people who would love to steal his money! We first meet Tuey and her brother, white trash people from the South, who see a good scam whenever they find one. Tuey passes herself as a reporter interested in interviewing Albert. She is pathetic interviewer, but the young man is too gullible to see it.
Edna is killed in a hit and run accident that leaves Albert alone to fend for himself. In addition to Tuey, another low life character appears in the picture, Jerry, who claims he is Albert's real father. There is also a kind man, Sean McNally, who owns a store. Albert likes to make copies of 20 dollar bills in Sean's Xerox machine.
Tuey, at the end is the only decent person of the whole lot as she realizes the kindness of Albert in trying to help her brother Stan. Jerry, on the other hand is the one that actually seems to be the successful one in getting rich. In an ironic twist at the end, we see how Albert, the mentally challenged young man, gets the last laugh!
The director gets good performances of this multi talented cast. Best of all is Alison Folland as Tuey, who redeems herself at the end. Tom Garity also is charming as Albert who seems to inhabit his own world. Randy Quaid is perfect as the oily Jerry. Debra Monk and Bruce Dern are seen briefly as Edan and Sean.
Mr. Mindell will probably do well in the future as he shows he has a good understanding in what make these characters unique.
