Dogfight - 1991 - River Phoenix and Lili Taylor - directed by Nancy Savoca
While I love this movie, it requires patience for the "payoff".
At the beginning of the film we encounter a group of marines who are spending their last night state-side before heading off to Japan (and then "hopefully" to Vietnam). The assumption is that they would be doing what most other cocky young servicemen would be trying to do - get laid. They are riding the bus to San Francisco and are discussing how things will go for their evening but the details are obscured. There is money passing hands and the confusion strikes as you begin wondering why money is involved in this stereotypical story. Except that you find it's not stereotypical at all.
After leaving one another (to meet up later at a designated club) each of the marines sets out to find a woman. Yeah. Expected. Except you watch them selecting women to flirt with that are not the traditionally stalked women. In short, these women are rather unattractive. Your heart sinks a bit as you start to realize what's going on. They regretfully reject the attentions of more attractive women in search of the prize winning "dog" for their dogfight.
What could possibly be redeeming about a movie with this sort of plot? Well first of all there's River Phoenix. One of the greatest losses in the acting world - gone too soon and too much talent lost. Had he not died when he did, I'd have no doubt that he'd be comparable to Johnny Depp in talent and parts. And then there is the adorable Lili Taylor with her big soft eyes and innocence of spirit. The interactions between them are often surprising and humorous but also touching and painful.
It's a film worth watching for the interactions between the people and the changes we think we see taking place as the movie progresses.
The Trash Heap has spoken.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I agree. while most movies are "entertaining", this one is good in a much more cerebral and "art-form" way. Thoughtful, might be a good word for it.
And R.I.P. River Phoenix. Great analogy, with Mr Depp, too, since I think of him as the same style of actor, quirky and smart.
I'm glad you've seen it. I found parts of it surprising. Watching it years ago and then again recently the same parts still surprised me.
i could never watch it as the whole idea was so mean spirited...couldn't even watch it for the 'payoff' at the end...i knew it would make me cry to much before i got to the payoff..
Post a Comment