L A W N D O G S
Starring
Mischa Barton, Sam Rockwell
Rating
Rating within genre
Rated
R for nudity, adult language, and minimal violence
Directed by
John Duigan
Written by
Naomi Wallace
Genre
Drama/with comedy *stereo-indie*
Film
Color; 1 hr. 41 min.
Date of Release
1997
Filming Locations
Prospect, KY (USA)
Jefferson County, KY (USA)
Oldham County, KY (USA)
Synopsis
A ten year old rich girl from a Kentucky suburb has survived heart surgery twice and lives in her own fantasy world based on a Russian folktale she heard about a terrible creature named Babi Yaga. Stuck in her mental games, Devon becomes set on befriending Trent, her family's twenty-one year old lawnmower, a trailer-trash outcast that lives a ways down the highway in the woods. But things go wrong when Devon sees another side of her new "best friend", leading them both into a world of trouble.
Summary
An outstanding and contradictory film, 'Lawn Dogs' readily depicts life in the 90s. Probably because it so well portrays the real-life spacing between the rich and the poor. Mischa Barton is perfect for her role, and Sam Rockwell's performance is amazing. The combination of comedy and drama constantly give way throughout the movie to a dark fairytale incorporated into modern life. Devon's continuing fantasies quickly fade the line between fiction and reality, lending the movie an air of confusion and eerieness. Very, very well done, with the darkest but most satisfying fairy tale ending you'll ever see.
Notable Quotes
"I told my mom I'd spend the night at Tracy Keller's. Do you know Tracy Keller?" -- Devon
"No." -- Trent
"Neither do I." -- Devon
"Wait a minute...." -- Trent
"Yeah, well I'm still piss poor." -- Trent
"It all depends on your face, sweetheart. It's not what you got in the bag they wanna buy. It's your happy face. For those who weren't home today, try tomorrow." -- Morton
Reviews
Stygian Films: "Strange and eerily gripping, Lawn Dogs uses folklore in a realistic way that makes it seem true."
Hollywood.com: "On one level a satire, 'Lawn Dogs' comments on the widening gap between the self-isolating haves and increasingly vulnerable have-nots in American society."
collegestudent.com: "Duigan's film moves dangerously into Lolita territory, and by the time Rockwell has Barton whip off her nightgown, it's hard to believe we're in Kentucky anymore."
Queer View: "...a thrifty but effective magical reality more surprising, yet more fitting, than anything in the cinema for years."
Nicole Guillemet: "...combines a fairy-tale-like portrayal of the problematic passage from childhood to adolescence with a skillful contrast of social classes and a uniquely contoured dramatic structure."
Film Week: "It's offbeat, gripping and thoroughly entertaining."
Cast List
Mischa Barton........................Devon
Sam Rockwell........................Trent
Christopher McDonald...........Morton
Eric Mabius............................Sean
Kathleen Quinlan....................Claire
Miles Meenan.........................Billy
Bruce McGill..........................Nash
David Barry Gray...................Brett
Angie Harmon........................Pam
Beth Grant.............................Trent's mother
Tom Aldgredge......................Trent's father
Odin and Tafeki.....................Tracker the dog
Jose Orlando.........................Mailman
Innocence is a dangerous friend....
Also recommended
Safe Men
Jerry and Tom
Box of Moonlight
The Reflecting Skin
Pictures taken from a Sam Rockwell Site and Hollywood.com under "Lawn Dogs"
Also see the Lawn Dogs Script