The Dog Problem

Solo, a depressed young writer, is told by his analyst to get a dog; this way, he will not feel as lonely. Little does he know that everyone he meets wants to have the dog! Solo's life in Los Angeles is dull up until the time he decides to buy the dog in a shopping mall. Solo is not prepared for the work and the responsibility of owning a puppy, let alone trying to keep it to himself.

This dark comedy was written and directed, as well as acted by Scott Caan. We were impressed by his "Dallas 362", his debut as a director. "The Dog Problem" shows a talented Scott Caan who no doubt will go to do better things, although this is not a movie for everyone since the material will be enjoyed by some audiences and hated by others.

The best thing in the picture is, without a doubt, Giovanni Ribisi, who runs away with it. This actor keeps surprising us. He is not exactly a matinée idol, yet, he is always an interesting figure in any film in which participates. Scott Caan has a small role as a photographer. Lynn Collins, Mena Suvari, and the excellent Kevin Corrigan, are seen in minor roles.

Yes if you want to over-analyze the movie components a lot of your dis-mantling can be viewed as true...but if you just sit back and let the movie take you for it's ride, the over-all result is an enjoyable watch, which for me is what movies are about...not that they are technically sound in every category of screenplay writing technique...I enjoyed its whimsical theme, and light hearted flow it maintained throughout. I feel it was written more for steady amusement...and quirky chuckles than to to garner huge laughs...sometimes its cool to enjoy a movie from start to finish, when it keeps your attention and keeps you smiling....

~Jon

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.

Just roaming through the comedy section of a local blockbuster and picking out random films, mostly films I've never heard or seen. "The Dog Problem" was one of them. 15 minutes into the film and im thoroughly entertained. The acting is good, Dialogue is hilarious, and the plot is simple but yet interesting. I will say that Giovanni Ribisi is really underrated as an actor. He makes it look effortless. The same goes with Scott Caan on his Directing/Acting. "The Dog Problem" is an intelligent comedy. Very underrated. With this i look forward to more of Scott Caan's work.

7.4/10

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.