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Dogfight (1991)

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No Score Yet...

Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 2

audience

83

liked it
Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 7,448

My Rating

Movie Info

River Phoenix stars in this period drama about a young man, naive in some ways and worldly in others, who learns an important lesson about the nature of beauty. In the fall of 1963, Eddie Birdlace (River Phoenix) is an 18-year-old Marine Corps volunteer who is about to ship out with three of his buddies for a tour of duty in Viet Nam. Planning a massive blowout for their last night in San Francisco, Eddie, his buddies, and a number of other Marines set up a contest they call a "dog fight." Each

R,

Drama, Romance

Jan 7, 2003

Warner Home Video

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Cast

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All Critics (21) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (14) | Rotten (4) | DVD (7)

Savoca's second film also deals with sexual politics, centering on a type of woman seldom seen in American movies

July 1, 2011 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com
EmanuelLevy.Com

The audio commentary adds a lot of detail about the historical accuracy of the screenplay and the casting challenges.

July 21, 2004 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide
Apollo Guide

The great casting in this film is evident from the stars to the supporting actors and even to the bit players.

July 21, 2004 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide
Apollo Guide

Creatively deals with insecurity, group pressures, male machismo and loneliness

July 19, 2003 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice
Spirituality and Practice

A virtually unknown gem, and is one of the sweetest, most touching romances of the decade.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: DustinPutman.com
DustinPutman.com

Audience Reviews for Dogfight

Dogfight is cruel, poignant, and yet played out. This is one of the more unique period pieces, an independent film made right at the peak of River Phoenix's fame and only several years before his subsequent death. The story is one that makes little sense in the way of meaning. The span of time is the early sixties, right as the folk scene was starting to gain momentum and the Vietnam War was turning from a conflict to a full scale war. Most of the plot relies heavily on the setting to compliment the storyline. Though this is supposed to be about what beauty really means I didn't see much in the way of Birdlace's (Phoenix) change in demeanor or values, only selfish behavior. Though he takes advantage of Rose (Lili Taylor) and you can tell he feels bad about it before going through with the demeaning act itself, he still demonizes himself by taking her in the first place and not standing up for her directly. He even lies to her while trying to apologize for the cruel way he treated her. The character is a severe detraction from what Marines were. It's not that his portrayal was unrealistic of what wartime soldiers were like, but the script undersells their intelligence at every turn and instead tries to sell us on brotherhood, and an entire side storyline about the folk music scene. Rose is a simplistic clod of a girl, who isn't unattractive, and shouldn't fall for his line of bullshit. Though the film is about changing yourself through acceptance and tolerance, Rose shouldn't have let him try to change himself by using her, and he sure shouldn't have started things with her the night before he was being shipped out. I accept many of these faults because the romance was actually quite sweet. It shouldn't have happened in the first place, but the endearing performance from Phoenix pushed me into liking this despite everything. This is a great performance for him, and Taylor who would go on to make the horrid version of The Haunting. Though this film drags (which is odd since it comes in at an hour and a half) it does plant the idea that what you're led to believe isn't always what's right, and any movie that promotes equality and understanding, no matter how clumsy a way they go about it, gets some kudos from me.
December 28, 2011
FrizzDrop

Super Reviewer

A touching little gem of a piece as a new couple enjoy a night on the town before he ships overseas to be an advisor in Vietnam. Phoenix and Taylor are amazing. I'd never heard of it before! Did I give it 3 stars? Shoulda been 4.
October 2, 2011
UniversalDreamer

Super Reviewer

    1. Fector: I'll be there in dress blues, tennis shoes, and a fur lined fucking jock strap.
    – Submitted by John L (11 months ago)

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