FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: Lawn Dogs [DVD] [1997]

Lawn Dogs [DVD] [1997]
enlarge	Director: John Duigan Actors: Sam Rockwell, Kathleen Quinlan, Mischa Barton, Christopher McDonald, Miles Meehan Studio: Cinema Club Category: DVD Buy New: £12.99 as of 25/11/2009 15:45 GMT details New (2) Used (5) Collectible (1) from £12.99 Seller: dampsquib_dvds Rating: 13 reviews Sales Rank: 16708 Format: PAL, Widescreen Language: English (Original Language) Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over Region: 2 Discs: 1 Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 97 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 5014138288372 ASIN: B00004S8J1 Theatrical Release Date: May 15, 1998 Release Date: June 7, 2004 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


Similar Items: Innocence [2005] [DVD] Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind [DVD] [2003] Ratcatcher [DVD] [1999] Box of Moonlight [DVD] [1997] [US Import] Safe Men [DVD]


Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review No review of ILawn Dogs/I can adequately describe this extraordinary movie, nor can the title or any simple synopsis. In fact, there's no way of knowing what ILawn Dogs/I is really about until the very end when the last 90-minutes takes on a whole new significance. pThe basic story follows the formation and fruition of a simple friendship. Devon (astounding newcomer Mischa Barton) is a 10-year-old girl born to glamour magazine identikit parents who live in the plush US suburban Camelot Gardens Estate. Trent (Sam Rockwell) is a 20-something lawnmower man whom everyone considers trash and who lives in a forest trailer. As secret friends they fill the holes in one another's lives. She has no other friends because she thinks "other kids smell like TV". It's all perfectly sweet and innocent. But naturally there's no way the uptight neighbourhood would perceive it that way. A creeping sense of doom begins to overtake events; but it is where this seemingly obvious tale twists at the end that makes the community's darker quirks a revelation. p BOn the DVD:/B ILawn Dogs/I on disc comes in a 16:9 transfer that retains the superb cinematography of endlessly stretching flat horizons. The three-channel sound is equally of benefit to a subtle bluesy score. Regrettably the only extra is a trailer. As a winner at numerous International Film Festivals, this picture really deserved something more. --IPaul Tonks/I

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 13 1 2 3 Next » AN ABSOLUTE TREASURE! UNMISSABLE... June 13, 2004 Melissa House (Perth Australia) 10 out of 11 found this review helpful LD is an enchanting story of isolation friendship, brought to us from Austalian John Duigan, director of 1991's masterpiece The Year My voice Broke, 1989's Dead Calm. The story centers around 10 year old 'new to the neighbourhood' Devon, 20 something 'trailer trash' lawn mower boy Trent, set against a magical quite surreal backdrop of American middle class suburbia. The weighty wide ranginig themes touched on, (class/ social politics, sexual repression hypocrisy, paedophillia, violence media induced paranoia / sensationalism, lastly bigotry), are interwoven not only cohesively, but with great insight style beauty. Capitalist values within a sort of 'redneck mentality', sums up the residents of the ironically named Camelot Gardens, an exclusive 'well to do' housing complex, where Devon has just moved to with her somewhat apathetic mother, status obsessed father, who states, "the way I see it is- you got people that mow lawns you got people that own em- they aint never the same sorta people.." Stifled lonely in the sterile environment, Devon lives in her own fairy tale world, filled with the obligatory fantasy elements of magic witches. Her surpressed lust for life is let loose one afternoon as she ventures outside the high walls of the tightly secured patrolled 'kingdom', with its uniformed houses, lawns, flower beds, sprinklers etc, all magnificently displayed in wide angle vistas through hazy sunlight, very Lynch-esque, with its juxtaposting of the seemingly orderly 'safe' suburban setting, against an underlying sinister tension. Outside she stumbles across the LM mans humble trailer dwelling in a forest clearing, thus slowly begins the sadly misunderstood, but heartwarming tender friendship between the two, that sees them on stolen moments adventures, Devon experiencing the mischief freedom sadly lacking from her self absorbed parents controll. What follows is secretive between the two, as the security guard warns Trent, "folks're nervous these days..you best keep to yourself.. if you know what I mean", as he continues to mow the lawns for the unappreciative condescending residents, that bully taunt blame him for any 'troubles' in the area. D T find a deep connection in a world where they are the outsiders have in particular one common 'mystery' experience that Devon holds dear.pAs another reviewer mentioned, comparisons can be drawn to both A Beauty Happiness, as similar issues are raised, although LD escapes all the bockbuster trappings of the former, and the more insincere 'attention grabbing' quality of the latter, instead delivers a work of rare integrity charm. I honestly cannot pick a fault here; the acting is flawless Sam Rockwells (Trents') energetic performance steals the show. The storyline is well paced moving. The cinematography with its combination of realism surrealism, is simply enchanting a joy to watch- loaded with symbolism; The slow motion close up of the lush lettuce leaf toppling down from the salad bowl, splashing beads of water sumptuously over the floor, as D mother has one of many 'quickie' sexual encounters with one of the local bullys; The white knee length socks with red ribbon trim left behind by D on her adventures, like a Hansel Gretel / Red Riding Hood trail, with its connotations of childhood innocence sexuality. The use of the American flag as a tragic symbol of a nation in 'ill health', one of my faves, the use of Springsteens 'Dancing in the Dark', (that other side of America that speaks of freedom liberation passion), as the two dance 'like no ones watching' on top of Trents batterd old pick up. And finally Devons midnight rooftop howl at the moon, as she discards her nighty in a display of unbridled abandon, - the camera following the white garment as it floats away against the light of the full moon.. Such qualities make it a film that can be enjoyed more than once, reminded me of Neil Jordans 1984 'adult fantasy fairy tale' The Company of Wolves, with its take on girl to womanhood symbolism steeped in classic fairy tale literature. pThe pace builds steadily to what culmanates in a finale (OH! what a finale), that is both as tragic as it is uplifting, as fantastical as it is believable. pThis is truly a memorable film, worthy of all the festival awards it gained, including Cannes. Duigan has a gift for dealing with youthfull energy innocence, conjuring up equal amounts of humour charm. This is one of those 'lesser known masterpieces' that no one who enjoys film making @ its most sincere tender should miss.brDEFINITELY WORTH OWNERSHIP.brI would also heartily recommend the equally brilliant The Year My Voice Broke Walkabout. lawn dogs April 21, 2004 4 out of 4 found this review helpful really good film.....looks quite uninteresting but is actually amazing andvery thought provoking...it was on tv a few months back n i watched it andhave been looking for the video ever since, but nowhere seems to have itfor some reason...EVERYONE should have it...immense A hidden gem August 27, 2001 Jason Parkes (Worcester, UK) 16 out of 21 found this review helpful 'Lawn Dogs' is an overlooked gem- it may have been 'unpromoted' when originally released due to some of its subject matter...It shares elements themes with more critically/commercially acclaimed films- such as 'The Ice Storm', 'American Beauty', 'Happiness' 'Welcome to the Doll House'. Hard to believe that this film, with a 10-year old lead character, treats us to a more mature, realistic view of life than marketed teen drivel such as 'American Pie' or 'She's all That'. This is a wonderful film for children, that adults will now doubt want to protect their children from. The closest film to it is 'Stand By Me'- another film that shows that there is a grey area between being a child adult. pThis film is an assault on the 'fenced-in' homes of American suburbia- the level of paranoia regarding security paedophilia ends in the kind of dumb vigilante response to be expected by those raised on TV/Tabloid xenophobia.pIt is interesting that Brett, the rich kid having an affair with Quinlan's character, is the one who demonstrates paedophilic urges. Another interesting facet is the killing of the dog- the young girls reaction reflects that of an audience raised on sentimental Disney-values. Yet, has little problem with screen violence as meaningless as the majority of Hollywood.pWriter, Naomi Wallace, has crafted a magical film- there are moments of sheer beauty here- recalling such films as 'Badlands' 'Through a Glass Darkly'. And, yes, I suppose there are Lynchian elements- 'Blue Velvet' 'The Straight Story' spring to mind. As does the Douglas Sirk melodrama, 'All That Heaven Allows'. p'Lawn Dogs' manages to fuse sociopolitcial concerns also: Rockwell's character lives an existence close to that of Thoreau's 'Walden'. After his lawnmower is trashed, we find out he sends most of his money to his father- who suffers from a lung disease brought about by his fighting for the USA in Korea (he now lives in a trailer, with a collection of flags). The class differences are brilliantly done- the rich girl who just wants a 'bit of rough'; Quinlan insiisting her daughter use the worst glasses- which are the best glasses in Rockwell's parents house. The vile upper-middle class brat, date rapist to be his repressed homosexual buddy. The way the parents fill in the blanks to give their fears flesh- an urge for them to come true? The security guard is a terrible figure- a parasite to middle class fears.pThere are many magical scenes, the nude dive recalling 'The Swimmer- juxtaposed with the young girl casting her nightdress to the air. The moment the 'couple' touch each others scars the way the girl holds his face at the end show a tendreness that people now fear in these times. pMischa Barton, the strikingly beautiful lead, is as good as Jenny Agutter in 'Walkabout'- though it has to be said there is not a bad performance here. The film ends as a blend of 'Sweetie' and Magical Realism- the fabulist elements throughout seem to transcend the suburban grind...This is an extremely impressive film, sharing European tendencies with 'The Sweet Herafter', that deserved a wider audience. It is a hidden gem that strikes a million more truths than the over-rated 'Virgin Suicides'. Find out for yourself. A feel good move with an excellent cast May 2, 2000 2 out of 2 found this review helpful The title and subject of this movie might not aspire you to watch it, but when you do actually get around to seeing it you will love it. A young man with nothing ahead of him befriends a young girl who has no other play mates. They get along fine, until the dreaded moment when her parents think he has being touching her. This is a film that should be added to your collection, and well worth the price! Fantastic! July 9, 2000 2 out of 2 found this review helpful This film is a true masterpiece. It is funny, thought provoking and heart warming. It is wonderfully acted by a very talented cast. Sam Rockwell is a name that I have a feeling we will be hearing a lot more of. Showing reviews 1-5 of 13 1 2 3 Next »

CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON EU S.à.r.l. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.