Dish Dogs

Morgan(Sean Astin)and Jason(Matt Lillard)star as 'Dish Dogs', two buddy philosophers who travel the world, free of commitment, taking up dishwashing jobs at various restaurants across the country. Morgan is the the talkative one. Blah-blah-blah, immovable rocks and omnipotent gods. And Jason is the free-spirited sidekick who is basically just "going along" with Morgan's philosophical lifestyle. So, when they return home for a friend's wedding, Jason rekindles his relationship with an old flame Molly(Ward)and Morgan is left to do some soul searching. And, believe it or not, he ends up falling for ball-busting stripper Anne(Shannon Elizabeth), much to his own dismay. These two film stars are kind of an odd couple...

Anyway, 'Dish Dogs' is pretty amusing, and the script very rarely takes itself seriously. I do think that Sean Astin kind of talks too much, though. This may turn the viewer off, but I would recommend sticking with it. The second half of the film is much better than the first half because Morgan has to confront reality and stop asking those unanswerable questions about love and marriage. The ending is pretty cool, too, I guess.

5/10 is my vote. It has its good points.

I'm a fan of Sean Astin's, which was a major reason why I saw this movie. I agree with many of the comments - the movie seemed unbalanced -some scenes were good, some were quite bad, and one was boring (some scenes of Sean Astin's character and his friend, Jason, working, which did not add much to the movie. I thought it had the potential to be a much better movie. The movie seems like it is searching for a plot, but does not quite get there. I liked the bits of philosophy, although they seemed kind of out of place at some times (it was overused in the dialogue at some points) I liked some of the quotes in the movie, and the theme of experiencing something rather than just thinking about it. The scene on the beach with Morgan and his teacher encapsulated this theme of the movie, and which I thought was the best scene in the movie.

What disappointed me is the story had potential. There were some likable characters, and there were some humorous lines and moments in the movie.

I am so used to seeing Sean Astin play nice guys that the Morgan character was a bit jarring. He is so insensitive to his friend Jason, especially at a scene near the end. Jason is clearly the more mature of the two.

Matthew Lillard's character is the most likable and believable character in the movie. He is good - natured and an easygoing guy. In contrast, Sean Astin's character Morgan does show potential of being a nice guy, but he's a very cynical guy who distances himself from women, and doesn't believe in marriage. (a good portion of the movie seems anti - marriage, despite the two marriages in the movie) Some characters (like Mr. Dewitt, Anne's boss) seemed stereotypical and therefore not completely believable.

Since Sean Astin and Shannon Elizabeth's character really didn't have enough screen time, there wasn't enough time to develop chemistry. Plus, her character completely disappears for awhile - she is neither seen nor mentioned. The relationship didn't develop enough to be completely believable.

I thought Sean Astin did a great job as usual. I wish he was given more to work with.

I'll give the other comment-giver a little bit of credit... but I found this movie to be insanely cute and very cool. I found it out only because I was a huge fan of Sean Astin in LOTR, but as I watched it and pulled more away from just loving to see Sean, I found it really groovy stuff!! Writers and directors use the same story lines and plots all the time! This thing was totally different and maybe not as realistic as we'd like it to be, but it IS still realistic. Hell, I'd be a dish dog if I had Matt Lillard and Sean Astin by my side... AND a hot stripper. It may not have been as good as I had hoped... but I do give it something for the originality and getting me to REALLY eat at a chip, lol.

Sean Astin delivers a standout performance as Morgan, a character attempting to define himself as a philosopher amidst the soapy bubbles of dishwater. Astin infuses the role with depth and sincerity, bringing to life the philosophical musings that permeate the narrative. His portrayal adds a layer of authenticity to the film, making Morgan a relatable and endearing protagonist.

Matthew Lillard, in a departure from his typical roles, breathes life into the character of Jason. Lillard's performance is a delightful surprise, showcasing his versatility as an actor. The chemistry between Astin and Lillard is palpable, providing the film with a solid emotional foundation. As the two friends traverse the country, washing dishes and exchanging philosophical ideas, their camaraderie becomes the heart of the story.

The narrative unfolds as a journey of self-discovery, with Morgan grappling with the conflict between his philosophical ideals and the unpredictability of love. The plot takes an unexpected turn when Jason falls for a girl, sparking a dilemma that challenges the very core of Morgan's beliefs. The film delicately explores the complexities of friendship and the evolution of personal convictions in the face of love.

Shannon Elizabeth's presence adds a layer of charm to the film, catching the eye of viewers much like she did for the reviewer. As Morgan finds himself entangled in a romance with Elizabeth's character, the storyline takes a poignant turn. The film skillfully navigates the intricacies of love and conviction, keeping the audience engaged with the characters' emotional dilemmas.

"Dish Dogs" is not your run-of-the-mill movie; it requires viewers willing to engage in thoughtful contemplation. The philosophical exchanges between Morgan and Jason elevate the film beyond a mere buddy comedy, offering viewers a chance to reflect on life's meaning and the pursuit of happiness. The movie strikes a delicate balance between intellectual dialogue and lighthearted banter, creating a unique viewing experience.

While the film may not be suitable for those seeking a mindless escape, it proves to be an excellent choice for individuals and couples looking for a thought-provoking cinematic journey. The plot, peppered with unexpected twists and turns, keeps viewers invested, and the resolution of Morgan's internal struggle adds a satisfying touch to the narrative. In essence, "Dish Dogs" is a film that resonates with those willing to delve into the complexities of friendship, love, and the pursuit of one's true self.

I saw this movie today, and it's one of the few movies that I can sit down and enjoy while actually think about. This is not a big budget movie although there are some big names in it.

One warning -- Sean Astin is really annoying in this. Which proves to me he played his part well. But I think the writers did too good of a job making him annoying. Matt Lillard is great in this movie, I really feel he will break out soon. You can tell a lot of his humor in this film is improv, it's great. Shannon Elizabeth is hot in this movie, but there is a seen where she takes it all off, which I really feel took away from the whole movie.

The story line is that Sean Astin and Matt Lillard are best friends who have philosophies on everything and vow to each other not to let love stand in the way of life. The only problem is that that their lives are standing in their way of finding love.

This is a movie I recommend to anybody who doesn't need a lot of action, or doesn't need humor to be spelled out to them.

Overall I rate this movie very high, it was enjoyable, but Astin analyzing everything to death made this movie good and not great.