The Dog Problem

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.

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.

Solo, a depressed young writer, is told by his analyst to get a dog; this way, he will not feel as lonely. Little does he know that everyone he meets wants to have the dog! Solo's life in Los Angeles is dull up until the time he decides to buy the dog in a shopping mall. Solo is not prepared for the work and the responsibility of owning a puppy, let alone trying to keep it to himself.

This dark comedy was written and directed, as well as acted by Scott Caan. We were impressed by his "Dallas 362", his debut as a director. "The Dog Problem" shows a talented Scott Caan who no doubt will go to do better things, although this is not a movie for everyone since the material will be enjoyed by some audiences and hated by others.

The best thing in the picture is, without a doubt, Giovanni Ribisi, who runs away with it. This actor keeps surprising us. He is not exactly a matinée idol, yet, he is always an interesting figure in any film in which participates. Scott Caan has a small role as a photographer. Lynn Collins, Mena Suvari, and the excellent Kevin Corrigan, are seen in minor roles.

"When a man's best friend is a dog, that dog has a problem."

(from the opening credits)

This basically unknown oddball Independent film is an entertaining dark comedy. It's rated R mainly because of off color language and some sexual situations, which are hardly graphic. Underneath, this film is ultimately good natured at its core. A shrink tells a young writer named Solo, who's troubled and lonely, to try owning a pet to aid his therapy, so he hesitantly gets a "so ugly it's cute" puppy from the pet shop at the local mall. He's totally clueless on how to care for it. However, from that day forward he is never the same again. Suddenly and unaccountably, everyone he encounters becomes smitten by his puppy, who's the real star in this feature. The themes hinge on lost hope and looking for love and connection in a confusing world. Solo happens to meet a pretty woman who, unexpectedly, is also troubled and lonely. Aside from the language, this is a surprisingly charming and quirky little film involving lost souls who meet a dog that inadvertently leads him to some answers about their plight in life. This is lighthearted fun but not exactly a family or children's movie. The ending is touching and sweet. Dog owners in particular will get a real kick out of this film.

Through out the movie the line life is a delicate negotiation is said. At the end of the movie it is said one last time. What are the lines he says just before he says "life is a delicate negotiation" at the end of the movie? Now other than that I feel this is an excellent movie. I am not much of a writer and I am definitely not one to seriously psychoanalyze a movie. For me that takes away from the movie. So if you want to see a great movie and it is definitely a what I would call a feel good comedy then watch it. I just happened to catch it on one of the movie channels and I would definitely watch it again. So there you are my take on the movie and like I said I am not much of a writer.