Do you have a film that you enthuse about with great passion and yet nobody you know has watched it? A film you've enjoyed seeing again and again and yet when you mention it down the pub, nobody has a clue what you're talking about and conversation resumes about the pitiful rejects from Britain's Got Talent?
For me Lawn Dogs is that film. It's certainly underrated, well it must be, you've never heard of it. It's also a really good drama and I don't usually like dramas. I mean there's not even a talking animal or machine gun to be seen anywhere. However, what it lacks in firepower and conversing creatures it more than makes up for with an intelligent, thought provoking story, interesting character relationships and dark social issues that permeate the entire film.
Lawn Dogs is set in a suburban village called Camelot Gardens. It's the kind of newly built suburb that reeks 'American Dream' and reminds me very much of Wysteria Lane in Desperate Housewives. In one of his early career roles, Sam Rockwell plays Trent, a gardener who earns his money by mowing the lawns of Camelot Gardens' rich inhabitants. The trouble is they treat him like a lower class citizen, the residents seemingly emphasising America's underlying class system. The film also stars a young Mischa Barton as a problematic pre-teen who is very bored with her surroundings and forms a secret friendship with Trent (albeit, initially against his will) that proves to be very dangerous indeed. Her performance is certainly the highlight of the film, in what was her breakthrough role she confidently plays the part with much confidence and maturity and it's arguably one of the best child actor performances I've ever seen.
Director John Duigan keeps things moving along at a fairly steady pace as Devon and Trent's friendship develops. Supporting characters add extra depth to the story and all have very questionable morals in their own unique way. The film intentionally highlights the hypocrisy of social do-gooders with corrupt morals and cleverly shows that the only innocence to be found here is in Devon and Trent's relationship. A relationship which comparitively would be judged as anything but innocent in a world where paedophilia is an over-subscribed fear in modern society. It's an interesting commentary that gives the film a lot of depth amidst the melodrama of suburban life that's presented here.
Although set in America, Lawn Dogs is surprisingly a British film sharing the same producer as that of classic Richard Curtis rom-com 'Four weddings and a funeral'. It's a great film which served to show the potential of both its young budding stars. Whilst Sam Rockwell has gone on to star in high quality films such as 'The Green Mile' and 'Moon', it's disappointing that Mischa Barton's most widely known for starring in bland Beverley Hills 90210 clone The O.C. She's still young though and hopefully will get the chance to realise the potential she once showed as a child in Lawn Dogs.
The film has a great and unexpectedly magical climax, which although seems a bit odd in a realistic drama, it does nicely tie into Devon's fantasy story which she recites in parts throughout the film. All in all, Lawn Dogs is a quaint, touching drama that deserves to be seen for its interesting social commentary if nothing else, but can also be enjoyed solely for entertainment value. Especially if you're a fan of Bruce Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark.
Chris Curry
GET READY. IT'S COMPETITION TIME!
After purchasing this DVD several years ago I have systematically forced people to watch it and now it's your turn. Thankfully you don't have to be forced to watch it (yet) but if you want to own the DVD just enter the competition below and a shiny brand new copy of the film could be heading your way.
To enter simply post your answer (A, B or C) to the following question on Moviecake's Facebook wall.
2 years after Lawn Dogs was released, Mischa Barton had a small but memorable part in Hollywood blockbuster 'The Sixth Sense'. What part did she play?
A. A child ghost with a penchant for hiding under beds and vomiting porridge.
B. The ghost of Christmas past.
C. Bruce Willis's hairpiece.
Please note that you must have already clicked 'Like' on our Facebook page or your entry will be invalid. All entries must be received on or before 25th April. All entrants must live in mainland UK. The Winner will be picked at random and contacted for their address details privately on Facebook.
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Good luck cake lovers!
Excellent job on the review (it's much better than mine :).
ReplyDeleteMyself, i first saw Lawn Dogs in early 2000 or so and recently just bought the DVD after finally remembering the title of the film.