The Dog Problem

I've always felt that Giovanni Ribisi is the most underused (along with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Zooey Deschanel) and one of the most talented actors working today. Further proof of that is his fantastic performance in this light-hearted, mediocre independent comedy directed and written by Scott Caan. The film centers around a broke, self-centered and hopelessly depressed writer named Solo (Giovanni) who after a year of seeing a therapist (Don Cheadle) five days a week decides to get a dog. Getting this dog begins a wild adventure that involves his best friend (played by Caan), a stripper whom he grows a strong affection for (Lynn Collins), her friend (the criminally underused Sarah Shahi), a gangster whom he owes money to (Kevin Corrigan) and a spoiled rich girl straight out of My Super Sweet 16 (Mena Suvari).

It's a fun film about the true wealth of finding love with some genuinely hilarious scenes scattered throughout. I've never liked Scott Caan as an actor; I always find him playing the same arrogant, dirtbag character and I really don't like his sense of humor so that didn't help me in trying to enjoy the film. Also, while the subplots with the gangster (who we never find out how he got connected to Solo or why Solo owes him money) and the spoiled girl offer some great opportunities for Giovanni to show off his comedic talent, their appearance in the film ultimately feels like pointless filler. But the film manages to succeed due to the great work by the always underrated Giovanni Ribisi who adds so much charm, quirk and hilarity to every film he's in that it's impossible not to love him and it is pretty entertaining throughout.

"When a man's best friend is a dog, that dog has a problem."

(from the opening credits)

This basically unknown oddball Independent film is an entertaining dark comedy. It's rated R mainly because of off color language and some sexual situations, which are hardly graphic. Underneath, this film is ultimately good natured at its core. A shrink tells a young writer named Solo, who's troubled and lonely, to try owning a pet to aid his therapy, so he hesitantly gets a "so ugly it's cute" puppy from the pet shop at the local mall. He's totally clueless on how to care for it. However, from that day forward he is never the same again. Suddenly and unaccountably, everyone he encounters becomes smitten by his puppy, who's the real star in this feature. The themes hinge on lost hope and looking for love and connection in a confusing world. Solo happens to meet a pretty woman who, unexpectedly, is also troubled and lonely. Aside from the language, this is a surprisingly charming and quirky little film involving lost souls who meet a dog that inadvertently leads him to some answers about their plight in life. This is lighthearted fun but not exactly a family or children's movie. The ending is touching and sweet. Dog owners in particular will get a real kick out of this film.

If I had kept the reviews and comments in mind, I would've never rented this film, but I went with my gut and the fact that Ribisi is amazing and am so impressed with this movie. I loved this movie so much I'm bothering to leave a comment which in itself, for me, is unusual.

This sweet, poignant, simple, and heartbreakingly realistic movie is about a man who buys a dog at the advice of a therapist to improve his life. That's the straight-forward surface story. But as the story progresses, you really start to realize and appreciate the massive similarities between the dog and the main character, and the plight the dog and the emotional growth of the man. No matter what the movie is about or how far-out it is, it should connect with the viewer emotionally, be so realistic to everyday feelings it's scary, make you view you own personal life in a more open-minded revelatory way, and make you consider what life is all about. This is definitely one of those movies.

Based on other reviews and comments, this movie isn't for everyone's tastes. But to me, this is the kind of movie that makes the hundred other semi-interesting but ultimately disappointing movies viewed before it pale in comparison. It's a gem that makes you happy you saw it. It was absolutely brilliant and I loved it.

The Dog problem.. Have seen it twice. A nice break from serious Action flicks, or somber dramas. Its light, cleaver, fun to watch, and I felt like I'd met some of the characters in real life. Just an odd mix of misfit people stumbling through life... Incomplete closures, partial answers, and in so many ways a caricature of life.

The pseudo Rorschach inkblot test-like opening credits are brilliantly on theme, and the music from former Devo man, Mark Mothersbaugh, is icing on the cake.

Giovani Rabisi shines as an oddball self analytic writer who doesn't quite know what to do with himself, or anyone else. Don Cheadle is always fun to watch, and the dog is cool, playing his role very understated, look for him as feature player in his own movies soon.

Kudos to Scott Caan.

Solo (Giovanni Ribisi) is a broke depressed writer. His therapist (Don Cheadle) suggests a pet, and he immediately goes out to buy a dog. This makes Benny (Kevin Corrigan) angry who Solo's owes money to. His friend Casper (Scott Caan) introduces him to rich girl Jules (Mena Suvari) who must have the dog.

The whole thing with the dog makes no sense. Is this a magic dog? Scott Caan has written something that is so desperate to be quirky that it never seemed right. The best part is the sweet stripper Lola (Lynn Collins). She has great chemistry with Giovanni Ribisi. I love their conversations together. But she's not enough for me to recommend this movie.