The Dog Problem

Oh man. The acting in this film is very good. The story would probably not look so good on paper. This film tried to take a turn into a suckfest about twenty times, and every time it tried, it failed. It was a truly touching story, and it had a wonderful, understated sense of humor that was a joy to watch.

I can understand a lot of people not getting this film. It doesn't hit you over the head with a message, but the message is there, loud and clear. It doesn't blow you away with funny scenes and gut wrenching jokes, but when it's funny, it is delightfully so.

The direction is lovely. It is straightforward enough that you don't notice it, and believe me, that is a sign that a director knows what he's doing. It's not workmanlike, or ordinary. It's quite artistic! But it's not artistic in a pretentious way. It complements the story.

The film has a message, as I said before, and I can tell you what that message is.

Of course, I'm not going to. Watch the film to see what happens, digest it, and then watch it again to enjoy its nuances.

The Dog problem.. Have seen it twice. A nice break from serious Action flicks, or somber dramas. Its light, cleaver, fun to watch, and I felt like I'd met some of the characters in real life. Just an odd mix of misfit people stumbling through life... Incomplete closures, partial answers, and in so many ways a caricature of life.

The pseudo Rorschach inkblot test-like opening credits are brilliantly on theme, and the music from former Devo man, Mark Mothersbaugh, is icing on the cake.

Giovani Rabisi shines as an oddball self analytic writer who doesn't quite know what to do with himself, or anyone else. Don Cheadle is always fun to watch, and the dog is cool, playing his role very understated, look for him as feature player in his own movies soon.

Kudos to Scott Caan.

Just roaming through the comedy section of a local blockbuster and picking out random films, mostly films I've never heard or seen. "The Dog Problem" was one of them. 15 minutes into the film and im thoroughly entertained. The acting is good, Dialogue is hilarious, and the plot is simple but yet interesting. I will say that Giovanni Ribisi is really underrated as an actor. He makes it look effortless. The same goes with Scott Caan on his Directing/Acting. "The Dog Problem" is an intelligent comedy. Very underrated. With this i look forward to more of Scott Caan's work.

7.4/10

If I had kept the reviews and comments in mind, I would've never rented this film, but I went with my gut and the fact that Ribisi is amazing and am so impressed with this movie. I loved this movie so much I'm bothering to leave a comment which in itself, for me, is unusual.

This sweet, poignant, simple, and heartbreakingly realistic movie is about a man who buys a dog at the advice of a therapist to improve his life. That's the straight-forward surface story. But as the story progresses, you really start to realize and appreciate the massive similarities between the dog and the main character, and the plight the dog and the emotional growth of the man. No matter what the movie is about or how far-out it is, it should connect with the viewer emotionally, be so realistic to everyday feelings it's scary, make you view you own personal life in a more open-minded revelatory way, and make you consider what life is all about. This is definitely one of those movies.

Based on other reviews and comments, this movie isn't for everyone's tastes. But to me, this is the kind of movie that makes the hundred other semi-interesting but ultimately disappointing movies viewed before it pale in comparison. It's a gem that makes you happy you saw it. It was absolutely brilliant and I loved it.

Yes if you want to over-analyze the movie components a lot of your dis-mantling can be viewed as true...but if you just sit back and let the movie take you for it's ride, the over-all result is an enjoyable watch, which for me is what movies are about...not that they are technically sound in every category of screenplay writing technique...I enjoyed its whimsical theme, and light hearted flow it maintained throughout. I feel it was written more for steady amusement...and quirky chuckles than to to garner huge laughs...sometimes its cool to enjoy a movie from start to finish, when it keeps your attention and keeps you smiling....

~Jon