Though not without its faults Puppy is one of those rare films that manages to straddle the very fine line between caustic dark humor and edgy drama. There are many unique moments and great ideas, mixed in with some wickedly funny dialog and the kind of meanness that strikes a chord with the secret bitch inside
everyone. Mostly a two-hander, Puppy takes its time unfolding and becoming more complex. If you are expecting blood and guts horror, or chasing people up stairs and into bathrooms, then Puppy is not what you might be expecting. The film is more concerned with getting to understand the two disconnected souls who collide and reshape each other. Nadia Townsend is a revelation as the smart mouthed, con artist Liz. Bernard Curry does an admirable, if at times slightly off-key take on the benevolent but psychotic tow truck driver Aiden. Supporting cast are adequate. With Sally Bull stealing the scenes allotted to her.
It's likely that Puppy was more ambitious than its budget allowed. Reportedly it was made for 250 grand, which is about the value of the amount of fruit that gets wasted on the average Hollywood set. If that is true, then the film is a credit to the filmmakers and the minor plotting problems and occasionally roughness is easily forgiven.
I think we'll be hearing more from director / writer Kieran Galvin. I'd like to see what he could do with a real budget.
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August 31, 2008
