Dogfight

Dogfight

A blessing indeed this little piece: a wholesome story nicely told. And as a change from the mainline razzmatazz US productions, this is a rather hushed down production, which it would easily be possible to miss out on if you are not aware of the quality of this sensible and sensitive film. Perhaps neither River Pheonix nor Lili Taylor would ever walk the red carpet into the Kodak Theatre: perhaps neither of them are anything like being `brilliant' actors. And that is precisely where the film scores: both believed in the project, Nancy Savoca became enthused with her directing, and the result is a highly recommendable film. In 1963 I was 18: that is old enough to have records by Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez and Peter, Paul and Mary – old mono LPs which I still have today. Ms. Savoca with studious deliberation prepared her scenes – I think maybe in Oakland rather than in Seattle or San Francisco, maybe – and the music admirably completed the setting, even with fragments of `Wimoweh' in the original Weavers' recording. This is good film-making, of the kind which I have often thought that only here in Europe could be made; so much gratitude to Ms. Savoca for showing us that sometimes the US can make sincere little stories that really work. I will see this film again, one day – I hope.

What Can I say? I watched this film because of my new 'Im obsessed with River Phoenix' phase. After watching his brothers films, Joaquin Phoenix (8MM, U-Turn) I was pleasantly surprised with this one. It was a beautiful romance. This is about a mean marine, BirdLace (River Phoenix) who has found his self innocence by meeting with Rose (Lili Taylor). He puts her through a cruel game, feeling guilty afterwards, he apologizes, which he admits he has never done before. How they slowly fall in love through out just one night, is beautiful. This movie means a lot to me, due to Birdlace and Rose reminding me of my relationship with my boyfriend. The Kiss scene is so beautiful, with the music. The ending, is said to be disappointing. I think the ending could not of been anything else, it was beautiful, silent. The performances were perfect, Rivers best. Lili is beautiful!!!!! 10 out of 10

This film doesn't want to tell only a love story but the story about how a young woman helps a confused young marine to discover his own better nature. Every word of the screenplay is absolutely perfect and Savoca directs with great care creating moments of surprising tenderness (like that in which Birdlace and Rose make love) and other of enormous strength (like that in which Rose finds out about "dogfight" and attacks Birdlace). River Phoenix is excellent (the best actor of 90s even though he is unfortunately gone) and Lily Taylor absolutely superb. A beautiful movie. I love the end, in which no word is used to explain what an embrace can explain much better in a scene of extraordinary intensity.

Interesting story focusing on hot-tempered, booze-loving, foul-mouthed Eddie Birdlace (brilliantly played by river phoenix)and his quest for an ugly-duckling to take with him to a dogfight. birdlace and his three friends each put in money for a bet, the one who takes the ugliest date to the dogfight wins the pot of money. Just before the dogfight begins, birdlace begins to have feelings for his date and as the movie progresses he falls deeper and deeper in love with her. Rose, his date to the dogfight (brilliantly played by Lili Taylor)also begins to fall in love with Eddie. There is romance, comedy, drama, swearing and lots more. This brilliantly acted and affectionate movie is well-worth watching and will probably have some in tears at the end. Co-stars include Richard Panebianco, Anthony Clark and Mitchell Whitfield. This film definitely won my approval, a well acted movie which is well cast down to the small roles. I give it a strong 9 out of 10.

This exceptionally effective and satisfying drama is a simple masterpiece in writing and acting skills. Overlooked and unappreciated when first released DOGFIGHT seemed to be belatedly discovered after River Phoenix died and viewers curious to see more of his better work found this pic on video. A DVD with extras and interviews would be great to see. Director Nancy Savoca sadly has only really added her talents to bad TV shows and has never bettered herself over this film. The title refers to a cruel contest between insensitive (or de sensitised) young marines to date a dog (plain girl) for the night. Lili Taylor is the catch for Phoenix and her acting and presence is a great match for him. A lot like the 70s film BUSTER AND BILLIE where Jan Michael Vincent fell for the town "*" when he realised there was a real person underneath DOGFIGHT is an emotional discovery well worth your pursuit. Young Brendan Fraser appears briefly.

Every so often, you stumble across a little gem of a film that simply steals your heart away, and this certainly tops that list. I must admit that the title of this surprisingly moving film threw me for a loop... I thought it was about angry pit bulls or WWII flying aces, but that was just the "in joke" of this tale of young men on their way to war. I had always thought of River Phoenix as simply another Johnny Depp, just another teenaged heartthrob. But I was so, so wrong. He shined in this movie like a diamond in the rough, with a clarity and beauty rare to see, and wonderful to behold. Combined with a very underrated Lili Taylor in the co-starring role, this film reached a place in my heart that very, very few films are even capable of. On a side note, after catching Taylor in this amazing role, I had the good fortune of meeting her in a little dim sum joint in NYC, many years later. She was very gracious. And when I asked her of her personal thoughts on a long-passed River Phoenix, of him she said, "He was a sensitive young man... maybe too sensitive for this world." Amen.

Dogfight captured California in the early 60's wonderfully. A pre Vietnam, pre Bob Dylan, pre make love not war, Dogfight is a beautiful story of innocence lost and innocence found. The ending alone makes you hold onto your breath as the credits role. Also, keep your eyes open for an early cameo appearance of Brandon Frazier.

The most atypical River Phoenix role, the furthest from his own personality comes in this film. In Dogfight River plays a young Marine recruit who along with buddies Richard Panebianco, Anthony Clark, and Mitchell Whitfield who are on a last night's leave and are heading from their Treasure Island base for a night of fun and frolic in the San Francisco of November, 1963. The guys are about to participate in a really mindless and sick ritual called a Dogfight. The guys seek out the ugliest woman they can find and bring her to a designated bar where they're judged. The 'winner' gets a prize of whatever monies the Marines have collected among themselves. Talk about objectifying the female body in a negative way. Phoenix hooks up with sweet and shy Lilly Taylor who really moved me with her performance. She and her mother run a coffee shop and she's a quiet kid into folk music, her favorite being Joan Baez. While the other three have the usual night on the town for the Armed Services, Phoenix and Taylor find they connect in ways that they never dreamed possible. As they get to know each other the audience sees a more typical River Phoenix. I remember seeing this when it first came out. It had a limited release and was restricted to art houses. The theater I saw it in was memorable too, it was the only one I've ever been in without a concession stand, not even concession machines. I guess in this no frills theater I was lucky they had rest rooms. Phoenix and Taylor make a very lovely couple. It's a good picture for River, but Taylor was the one who really blew me away.

This movie benefits from its sweet and sensitive approach and mainly from Lili Taylor's incredibly likable performance. I absolutely root for this girl and wish I could have a real-life friend like her. The enthusiasm by which she talks about most things, her aspirations in life, even the music she listened to where reasons to fall in love with this character. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about River Phoenix's character, a character I felt unable to empathize with as you do not get a true explanation as to why he'd previously behaved so callously, you do not get a big enough insight into his character, something to show his humanity, his fears, ambitions or insecurities. And I think that is because while Rose is such a driven and opinionated young girl, Eddie's character is the exact opposite, a guy frustrated with his situation for a reason he himself can't really explain. This makes their romance believable however, as you can see Eddie's attraction towards this girl's optimistic and at the same time strong aura. When their date comes to an end however, Eddie seems to choose to forget about this encounter and return to his previous life of bullshit-loaded tomfoolery, in a way a protective mechanism when entering the world of blood and horror that was Vietnam back then. He returns from war, having potentially lost his mates, seeming somewhat changed (if that) and enters Rose's café to see Rose again, hugging her and remembering that one night of pure sincerity in an otherwise bullshit-filled way of living.