DeniDVD Vault: Review - Dogfight
April 27th 2010 10:19
Category: Drama, What to Rent?
Ahhh, River Phoenix! I can still remember the day he died. I felt disbelief, dumbfounded and a bit disappointed! Just being a bit honest here. He died too young and for the wrong reasons. He should have died of old age, with an Oscar on his shelf.
I've only seen a handful of his work but only one will be my all time favorite - "Dogfight".
It's November 21, 1963 and Birdlace (River Phoenix), along with three of his Marine buddies are on 24 hour leave in San Francisco before being shipped off to Vietnam the next day. They are all in town for the annual 'Dogfight', which is a cruel contest where men pool their money, rent out a bar, and compete to see who can bring the ugliest girl for a date. All four buddies separate on their individual quest, tormenting the city's unattractive and vulnerable - wooing them with lies and pitiful lines declaring their devotion. It did my heart proud to see that some of women didn't buy it - thank goodness for them that they know what marines are like.
And then there's Rose (Lili Taylor), an aspiring folk singer. She's not necessarily ugly - just one of those plain girls with a good soul. The contest loses its steam for Birdlace after he zeros in on Rose. She's the best that he can find and he convinces her to go out with him. But her kind and idealistic nature sort of jumps out at him and he begins to feel guilty.
Needless to say, Birdlace doesn't win, but Rose is informed of the contest and is deeply hurt and appalled - not necessarily for her sake but for the sake of the other women who are unaware that they are being mocked and made fun of. This is the beautiful spirit that Birdlace is up against. He apologizes and insists that she let him take her out to dinner and from that moment, a beautiful and tender relationship is forged.
Separated from his friends and shedding his Marine persona for the rest of the night, Birdlace discovers a different and more humane side to himself that's brought out by Rose. It's only sad that such a discovery comes on the eve of both the assassination of John F. Kennedy and also being shipped off to Vietnam, two events that sparked social upheaval of the 60's.
This movie is on my cult movie list. I can watch it over and over again. I love watching River playing normal characters with normal issues and here he does a wonderful job portraying a rebellious Marine who comes to learn that he doesn't really have anything to be rebellious about. Lili Taylor oozes charm and tenderness without being nauseating. There's a lot of backbone to her Lili and it's very sweet and poignant how they come to respect and enjoy each other's company. Especially for Birdlace more so because with him, it's an unexpected surprise.
This movie had a very limited release in 1991 - only two cinemas in the U.S. and direct to video in Europe. Although a critical success, I'm not sure if many people have seen it since it has grossed only about $400,000. So I urge anyone who's up for a good love story that's light on the "sappy" side to go out and rent this movie. I guarantee that you won't be disappointed.
I've only seen a handful of his work but only one will be my all time favorite - "Dogfight".
River Phoenix and Lili Taylor
It's November 21, 1963 and Birdlace (River Phoenix), along with three of his Marine buddies are on 24 hour leave in San Francisco before being shipped off to Vietnam the next day. They are all in town for the annual 'Dogfight', which is a cruel contest where men pool their money, rent out a bar, and compete to see who can bring the ugliest girl for a date. All four buddies separate on their individual quest, tormenting the city's unattractive and vulnerable - wooing them with lies and pitiful lines declaring their devotion. It did my heart proud to see that some of women didn't buy it - thank goodness for them that they know what marines are like.
And then there's Rose (Lili Taylor), an aspiring folk singer. She's not necessarily ugly - just one of those plain girls with a good soul. The contest loses its steam for Birdlace after he zeros in on Rose. She's the best that he can find and he convinces her to go out with him. But her kind and idealistic nature sort of jumps out at him and he begins to feel guilty.
Needless to say, Birdlace doesn't win, but Rose is informed of the contest and is deeply hurt and appalled - not necessarily for her sake but for the sake of the other women who are unaware that they are being mocked and made fun of. This is the beautiful spirit that Birdlace is up against. He apologizes and insists that she let him take her out to dinner and from that moment, a beautiful and tender relationship is forged.
Separated from his friends and shedding his Marine persona for the rest of the night, Birdlace discovers a different and more humane side to himself that's brought out by Rose. It's only sad that such a discovery comes on the eve of both the assassination of John F. Kennedy and also being shipped off to Vietnam, two events that sparked social upheaval of the 60's.
This movie is on my cult movie list. I can watch it over and over again. I love watching River playing normal characters with normal issues and here he does a wonderful job portraying a rebellious Marine who comes to learn that he doesn't really have anything to be rebellious about. Lili Taylor oozes charm and tenderness without being nauseating. There's a lot of backbone to her Lili and it's very sweet and poignant how they come to respect and enjoy each other's company. Especially for Birdlace more so because with him, it's an unexpected surprise.
This movie had a very limited release in 1991 - only two cinemas in the U.S. and direct to video in Europe. Although a critical success, I'm not sure if many people have seen it since it has grossed only about $400,000. So I urge anyone who's up for a good love story that's light on the "sappy" side to go out and rent this movie. I guarantee that you won't be disappointed.
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