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.

"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.

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.

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.

Oh man. The acting in this film is very good. The story would probably not look so good on paper. This film tried to take a turn into a suckfest about twenty times, and every time it tried, it failed. It was a truly touching story, and it had a wonderful, understated sense of humor that was a joy to watch.

I can understand a lot of people not getting this film. It doesn't hit you over the head with a message, but the message is there, loud and clear. It doesn't blow you away with funny scenes and gut wrenching jokes, but when it's funny, it is delightfully so.

The direction is lovely. It is straightforward enough that you don't notice it, and believe me, that is a sign that a director knows what he's doing. It's not workmanlike, or ordinary. It's quite artistic! But it's not artistic in a pretentious way. It complements the story.

The film has a message, as I said before, and I can tell you what that message is.

Of course, I'm not going to. Watch the film to see what happens, digest it, and then watch it again to enjoy its nuances.