Sun Dogs

'SUN DOGS': Four Stars (Out of Five)

An indie comedy-drama about a young man that's obsessed with becoming a military hero, who thinks that he finds a new way to save lives, with the help of a young woman that he meets. The film was directed by actress turned first time director Jennifer Morrison, and it was scripted by Anthony Tambakis and Raoul McFarland (a first time screenwriter). It stars Michael Angarano, Melissa Benoist, Allison Janney, Ed O'Neill and Xzibit. The movie was featured at multiple prestigious film festivals, before being released by Netflix through it's streaming site. I found it to be pretty moving and effective.

Ned Chipley (Angarano) is obsessed with joining the military and becoming a hero. He's mentally unstable though, and this disqualifies him from entering the service (unbeknownst to him). The enlisting officer, Master Sgt. Jenkins (Xzibit), doesn't have the heart to tell him this, so he instead asks Ned to watch out for terrorists in the civilian world (as a secret operative). Ned of course takes this assignment very seriously, and he finds help from a young woman he meets named Tally (Benoist).

The movie is ultimately very sweet and inspiring, after a pretty rough and depressing opening third act though. I think it tackles mental illness with a pretty respectful and heartfelt approach, and Angarano is perfect in the lead. What's most impressive about the film though, I think, is Morrison's beautiful direction (it's so well done for a first time director). I really look forward to seeing what she does next.

A very sweet film made with much affection and that continuously transmits good feelings in a genuine and spontaneous way, well only for this it deserves to be seen, films like this, small, independent and made with the heart should be rewarded with at least one vision on your part. Of course it is not a perfect film, in fact it has several problems regarding the rhythm a bit 'too slow, not that this is wrong but it proves inadequate with the type of story and especially with the kind of approach that the director chooses to give, for this reason the film has some difficulties to involve the spectator; It also focuses too much on certain topics that should only be in passing and ends up not knowing how to get out of it and in this way it deepens too little other that could have meant a leap in quality for the film, instead they are quickly considered in the final part which looks a little hasty and less exciting than it could have been, which prevents the film from releasing its great potential. It could have been better but, despite these problems, the film still manages to enter the heart of the viewer for at least an hour and a half thanks mainly to real and credible characters, well interpreted and linked to each other by such honest and human relationships to be pillar and strong point of the whole film. Noteworthy is also the technical sector to say the least dignified given the small size of the product, in which stands out the hot photography very well taken care of.

Most films I see have some kind of hidden Left Wing political message to drive home. I thought this one was trying to say that the terrorist threat is mostly in the imagination of mentally challenged people. Or that we shouldn't racially profile middle easterners.

But I don't know for sure that it was. It may have been showing that while defeating terrorism is a noble cause, it wasn't the appropriate calling for this particular guy.

I loved how despite his obsession with a military calling and his personal challenges, he was sharp enough to listen and perceive wisdom from others and change course without losing ultimate purpose. For example when he hears a story about people who jump from a bridge. He didn't forget it.

As others have said, almost every character in this one is a genuinely decent person. They all have their challenges and flaws, but they are attracted to doing good. That makes for a unique movie-watching experience.

I also love that it doesn't turn into a coming-of-age sex story. That was obviously a temptation. No, it stays true to the character, whose goal is to help people and make a difference, not to conquer rites of missed rites of passage.

It avoids music-manipulation, sentimentality, and clichéd characters. It also explores multiple people's goals, beyond those of the protagonist. Most importantly, all of them are influenced by each other.

I didn't know what to expect before watching Sun Dogs. Looking at the poster, reading the summary and seeing that Ed O'Neill (Married With Children, Modern Family) is in the cast made it look like something that might be fun to watch. And in my case it was, I had a lot of laughs, mostly because of the quirky character of Ned Chipley played greatly by Michael Angarano. His character is definitely the thing that makes this movie stand out. A funny story about a guy with mental issues, living in his own world, trying to 'save' lifes like it's his only mission in life. I was pleasantly surprised by Sun Dogs, will probably watch it again in the future.

One of those movies that makes you smile. Give it a go.