Dark Humor with a Strong Dramatic Overtone
Added 4/14/2009
Sleeping Dogs Lie is a film written and directed by comedian Bobcat Goldthwait whose brand of comedy I've never found remotely appealing; but, I can certainly recognize the uniqueness and even moderate mainstream appeal of his personality. Surprisingly, that is all negligible here because if I were to close my eyes and try really hard to imagine what a film directed and written by Goldthwait would look like, I would never have pictured this strangely funny and touching little film. Evidently, Goldthwait has some wonderful tricks up his sleeve. Sleeping Dogs Lie is a short (only 87 minutes) low-budget independent film that was released in 2006 and got very little exposure. Only now did it finally come under my radar, and I always look for weird movies like this.
A seemingly normal young woman named Amy seems to have something bothering her despite having a promising future and great potential. Her fiance is perfect, and she is the true favorite among her siblings in the eyes of her conservative parents. Her fiance wants to be as honest with her as possible, and after being encouraged to reveal all the possible skeletons in her closet, Amy tells her fiance her dark secret. She impulsively and inexplicably performed fellatio on her dog when she was eighteen years old. This revelation travels fast and shatters her existence entirely.
My compliments to the performances here for understanding fully when the humor was intended and when to turn on the actual drama. That is obviously a tremendous compliment to the film's director as well. Melinda Page Hamilton as Amy is especially strong and has some truly great acting moments. I couldn't help but be reminded of director Todd Solondz (Happiness, Palindromes, Storytelling) while watching this. Solondz has an extremely dark sense of humor but in the moments when his stories are awkwardly dramatic it is often done to be further critical of his characters, as if to almost laugh at how pathetic they can actually get. Goldthwait doesn't go there; he tells the story of this girl as if she is some kind of angel who simply made a terrible mistake that just happens to be so extreme we cannot help but laugh a little bit. Furthermore, to not only laugh at her mistake but also the way the issue destroys all the relationships in her life. Therein lies the diabolical humor. I always say I feel guilty watching movies like this and maybe I should. By the film's conclusion I did feel much more rewarded then I might after one of Solondz movies. Despite the dark subject matter, Sleeping Dogs Lie is unique, funny, and has surprisingly authentic and sensitive moments.
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PAINFUL (sure) BUT WONDERFUL!!!!
Added 2/15/2009
this is a brilliant movie. the acting is suprisingly tender in places.
these characters and their plights are easily believable and thoughtfully portrayed. you'll laugh and maybe even almost cry.....i won't waste any more words except to say this movie is right up there on my short-list of must-see movies this year.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Not bad, but probably not one to watch with mom or the kids
Added 12/5/2008
"Sleeping Dogs Lie" is not a bad little romantic comedy. It's sort of in the vein of a Kevin Smith ("Chasing Amy") or Judd Apatow ("Knocked Up") movie: lots of gross, over-the-top humor which cleverly hides a fairly sweet story. The movie probably would have done better, however, if the cute woman's big secret involved something that maybe one in a thousand women might try, as opposed to something one in a million might undertake. The problem isn't so much that her big secret is gross and disgusting (though you won't find me making a strong defense that it isn't those things), but that it's goofily unbelievable. At least for the character we get to know here. But the movie's basically a goofy comedy, so goofy shouldn't be a deal breaker, right?
The movie's bargain basement budget is somewhat apparent in the production values, though things never get close to shoddy looking. In fact, the movie is generally well shot, acted, and lit, as well as sensitively directed. There's a nice little soundtrack, too. Definitely not bad for the twelve cents they had to spend.
On DVD, "Sleeping Dogs Lie" features a solid picture and good sound. The DVD also includes an interesting and often charming commentary track, rich with entertaining anecdotes, by writer/director Bobcat Goldthwait, and several trailers for other indie comedies. No behind-the-scenes featurettes, however.
Though ultimately taking a cynical view of the importance of complete honesty in a relationship (in fact, the message seems to be that you'll be walking into a minefield if you even try to be completely honest), "Sleeping Dogs Lie" is funny and moving, and a nice surprise to discover on DVD.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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I can let the dog lie.
Added 6/29/2008
I really have very little to say......I watched a movie called "Smiley Face" and this was a preview on that movie. I was intrigued......I rented.........I loved. What a refreshing break.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Bob Gothwaite is a genius!
Added 6/27/2008
This was a well thought out, directed, & acted film.
I figured that in order to be that crazy, "Buffalo" Bob Gothwaite had to be incredibly smart.
Strangely enough; this movie was also believable!
I hope to see this get airplay, hopefully on IFC.
I'm looking forward to his next work.
DOC, VA.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Dark Humor with a Strong Dramatic Overtone
Added 4/14/2009
Sleeping Dogs Lie is a film written and directed by comedian Bobcat Goldthwait whose brand of comedy I've never found remotely appealing; but, I can certainly recognize the uniqueness and even moderate mainstream appeal of his personality. Surprisingly, that is all negligible here because if I were to close my eyes and try really hard to imagine what a film directed and written by Goldthwait would look like, I would never have pictured this strangely funny and touching little film. Evidently, Goldthwait has some wonderful tricks up his sleeve. Sleeping Dogs Lie is a short (only 87 minutes) low-budget independent film that was released in 2006 and got very little exposure. Only now did it finally come under my radar, and I always look for weird movies like this.
A seemingly normal young woman named Amy seems to have something bothering her despite having a promising future and great potential. Her fiance is perfect, and she is the true favorite among her siblings in the eyes of her conservative parents. Her fiance wants to be as honest with her as possible, and after being encouraged to reveal all the possible skeletons in her closet, Amy tells her fiance her dark secret. She impulsively and inexplicably performed fellatio on her dog when she was eighteen years old. This revelation travels fast and shatters her existence entirely.
My compliments to the performances here for understanding fully when the humor was intended and when to turn on the actual drama. That is obviously a tremendous compliment to the film's director as well. Melinda Page Hamilton as Amy is especially strong and has some truly great acting moments. I couldn't help but be reminded of director Todd Solondz (Happiness, Palindromes, Storytelling) while watching this. Solondz has an extremely dark sense of humor but in the moments when his stories are awkwardly dramatic it is often done to be further critical of his characters, as if to almost laugh at how pathetic they can actually get. Goldthwait doesn't go there; he tells the story of this girl as if she is some kind of angel who simply made a terrible mistake that just happens to be so extreme we cannot help but laugh a little bit. Furthermore, to not only laugh at her mistake but also the way the issue destroys all the relationships in her life. Therein lies the diabolical humor. I always say I feel guilty watching movies like this and maybe I should. By the film's conclusion I did feel much more rewarded then I might after one of Solondz movies. Despite the dark subject matter, Sleeping Dogs Lie is unique, funny, and has surprisingly authentic and sensitive moments.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
PAINFUL (sure) BUT WONDERFUL!!!!
Added 2/15/2009
this is a brilliant movie. the acting is suprisingly tender in places.
these characters and their plights are easily believable and thoughtfully portrayed. you'll laugh and maybe even almost cry.....i won't waste any more words except to say this movie is right up there on my short-list of must-see movies this year.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Not bad, but probably not one to watch with mom or the kids
Added 12/5/2008
"Sleeping Dogs Lie" is not a bad little romantic comedy. It's sort of in the vein of a Kevin Smith ("Chasing Amy") or Judd Apatow ("Knocked Up") movie: lots of gross, over-the-top humor which cleverly hides a fairly sweet story. The movie probably would have done better, however, if the cute woman's big secret involved something that maybe one in a thousand women might try, as opposed to something one in a million might undertake. The problem isn't so much that her big secret is gross and disgusting (though you won't find me making a strong defense that it isn't those things), but that it's goofily unbelievable. At least for the character we get to know here. But the movie's basically a goofy comedy, so goofy shouldn't be a deal breaker, right?
The movie's bargain basement budget is somewhat apparent in the production values, though things never get close to shoddy looking. In fact, the movie is generally well shot, acted, and lit, as well as sensitively directed. There's a nice little soundtrack, too. Definitely not bad for the twelve cents they had to spend.
On DVD, "Sleeping Dogs Lie" features a solid picture and good sound. The DVD also includes an interesting and often charming commentary track, rich with entertaining anecdotes, by writer/director Bobcat Goldthwait, and several trailers for other indie comedies. No behind-the-scenes featurettes, however.
Though ultimately taking a cynical view of the importance of complete honesty in a relationship (in fact, the message seems to be that you'll be walking into a minefield if you even try to be completely honest), "Sleeping Dogs Lie" is funny and moving, and a nice surprise to discover on DVD.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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