Appalachian Dog

Appalachian Dog is a gripping and emotionally charged portrayal of reintegration after the war, set against the starkly ethereal but desolate scenery of Appalachia in 1946. The movie tracks the fortunes of Teddy Henry, a veteran of World War II, and his wife Marion, as they try to come to terms with their lives after trauma, displacement, and emotional dislocation. What distinguishes this movie is less its narrative and more the way it employs setting, sound, and muted character interaction to explore the oftentimes painful process of reconstituting normalcy after severe personal and communal dislocation.

Teddy's return from war is not as victor, but as vulnerability-his emotional wounds manifest as shakes that manifest not only on his physical body, but also symbolically impact his relationship with Marion. The two were once a seamless team working as tailor and seamstress, but their bond has been ruptured, both literally and symbolically, by Teddy's trauma. The disruption of their work mirrors the rift in their marriage, and this is where the film truly shines-its ability to illustrate, rather than spell out, exactly how irreparably war can mark even the deepest and most intrinsic aspects of a person's life.

Marion's unyielding resilience is another critical area of attention of the film. As Teddy is no longer available to assist them in running their tailoring business, Marion turns to their neighbors for help. What begins as an act of pragmatism becomes increasingly entangled, as attachments are formed, boundaries are crossed, and secrets are disclosed. These episodes are not played melodramatically with obvious conflict but seethe just beneath the surface, and a gentle tension builds slowly over the course of the movie. The emotional landscape is as harsh and unpredictable as the landscape of Appalachia, once more an echo of the psychological turbulence of the characters.

The most obvious stylistic choice is the absence of the traditional musical score in the movie. What fills the soundtrack is the ambient sound of the place-wind rustling through leaves, distant animal calls, and the creak of wooden floorboards. This option adds a disconcerting layer of realism and depth, making the setting almost akin to a living, breathing character. It draws the viewer in towards the emotional weight of the story and roots the drama in a sense like real, palpable reality.

The acting is another strong point. The lead actors bring depth and nuance to their roles, capturing the complex mixture of hope, bitterness, longing, and confusion that all too frequently typifies life after the war. Teddy's inner turmoil is suggested as much by his behavior as by dialogue, and Marion's despair and toughness are measured in a performance that never falls into cliche. The chemistry between them is palpable even when they are far apart, and it is this contained yet dynamic acting that makes them so deeply affecting.

Also adding to the richness of the film is a subtle, but challenging, examination of queer identity. Never in the forefront, these undertones provide a new level of complexity to the themes of alienation and self-discovery. The film avoids sensationalizing, instead allowing these themes to develop naturally and with respect within the larger framework of identity, love, and survival.

Ultimately, Appalachian Dog is a superbly controlled and affecting drama. It transcends the typical "homecoming" movie in that it showcases how the experience of coming back from war impacts not only the warrior, but everyone around him. It's a meditation on change-forced and self-imposed-and the precarious hope that comes with trying to rebuild what's been lost. With its heavy atmosphere, real performances, and understated narrative, this is a strong and valuable addition to the canon of post-war cinema.

Appalachian Dog is a beautifully crafted Southern Gothic drama that delves deep into the complexities of love, loss, and identity in post-World War II Appalachia. Directed, written, and led by Colin Henning, the film offers a poignant exploration of a man returning home to a world that has irrevocably changed.

Writer-director Colin Henning, who also stars as Teddy Henry, crafts a slow-burning narrative that delves into the complexities of post-war reintegration and shifting personal dynamics. Henning's portrayal of Teddy is nuanced, capturing the internal turmoil of a man out of sync with his surroundings. Morgan delivers a compelling performance as Marion, embodying a woman torn between duty and desire. Franklin's Peggie brings depth and authenticity, highlighting the societal challenges of the era.

The film's cinematography is a standout, with Aidan Macaluso capturing the Appalachian landscape in all its raw beauty. The use of natural lighting and ambient sounds immerses the viewer, creating an atmosphere that's both intimate and expansive.

While some critics have noted areas where the film could delve deeper into character backstories or streamline its narrative, Appalachian Dog stands as a powerful meditation on love, identity, and the struggle to reconnect with a world that no longer feels the same.

Appalachian Dog is a testament to the power of subtle storytelling, offering a rich tapestry of human emotion set against the backdrop of a changing world. Yes, the pacing is slow, but that's part of its strength. It allows space for reflection and immersion. If you appreciate character-driven stories with emotional depth and poetic visuals, this film is absolutely worth your time.

The narrative unfolds slowly, unhurried by modern pacing, which may not appeal to every viewer. Yet that deliberate rhythm feels authentic. It gives space for the silences to speak volumes.

Appalachian Dog is not merely a film; it's a mood, a place, a feeling. It invites you to sit with discomfort, reckon with history, and find the beauty in brokenness.

Appalachian Dog - a film about trying to get back to a life of normalcy after experiencing a life-changing event and finding out that rejecting your newly found desires and self-discoveries are harder to ignore than expected. Reality often hits the hardest to those who reject it the longest and in this film that point is portrayed quite poetically - using sewing and threads as an allegory to represent the idea of trying to mend a relationship that's slowly ripping apart. These attempts, however, go against the nature of our characters and we are taken on an emotional journey as we see the characters struggling to face each other as they try to keep everything from ripping apart like a piece of fabric that's been stretched beyond its capacity. Of course, nothing goes according to plan as the cloth gets torn apart just as the truth starts slipping out and the true feelings of our characters towards each other are revealed. However, that might not be as bad of an ending as you might think, with the characters each accepting the other for who they truly are and that even though they are torn, they can still exist as two pieces cut from the same fabric.

To start off, I would like to appreciate and applaud the cinematography of this film. The breathtaking stills, the well thought out framing of each scene and the abstract shots which very well convey the feeling that needs to be. The shots of the stunning landscape of the Appalachian hills transport you right to the film's location and instantly make you feel warm and cozy feeling like nothing else. The lighting/ color grading in each shot was also very relaxing on the eyes and not at all straining or exhausting to look at. My one critique, however, would be directed towards the sound design. There were multiple shots in the film where it was more than obvious that the dialogue had been dubbed over as the audio didn't seem to exactly match the actors' lip movements and sounded a bit off compared to the other scenes surrounding it. The actors also deserve recognition for their amazing work, being able to properly convey every emotion to near perfection, I personally was very touched by the facial expressions and acting of nearly every cast member. Clearly a truly talented cast had been chosen for this very special film. Overall, the film was extremely beautifully shot and well-made.

Finally, to end things off, I felt as though the setting chosen for this kind of sexual exploration and self-discovery film was quite unique. Using a man's time spent in war surrounded by sexually frustrated men as a way to explain his true feelings coming out and how he managed to survive without his wife all those 5 years and same for the wife who was going through a similar situation but instead surrounded by women is genuinely one of the more unique takes I've seen in this genre. This film was more of a self-discovery film than a romance and could easily pass as a documentary or biopic of sorts seeing as how realistic and well-written it was. I, myself am not the biggest fan of romance films so this film was quite a pleasant surprise and I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end, seeing the quarrel between each of the cast members and how they try their best to hide the truth and their true feelings from one another as a desperate attempt to bring things back to normal as they were before the war. And as it happens in real life, things don't remain hidden forever and reality often makes its way through, revealing each person for who they truly are and what they feel and despite all that our husband and wife come to terms with their true nature and accept the fact that although there is no thread that can stitch them together, they will always be a part of the same cloth and that there is beauty in that.

I watched Appalachian Dog over the weekend after purchasing it on Amazon Prime, and I was thoroughly impressed. Not only were the performances outstanding, but the film was beautifully shot and edited. Colin Henning-director, writer, and star of the film-masterfully captures the raw emotions of characters struggling to adjust to life in a post-war world.

Georgia Morgan, Hayleigh Hart Franklin, and Brooke Elizabeth round out the principal cast, each delivering a standout performance. Excited to see what's next from the rising production company, C. H. Squared Films!

The film is also available on several streaming platforms, including Tubi (which is free)!

Appalachian Dog surprised me in the best way. Set in post-war Appalachia, it's a quiet but emotional film about a man trying to fit back into a life that's moved on without him. Colin Henning wears all the hats-actor, writer, director-and pulls it off beautifully.

The visuals are stunning, the performances feel real, and the sound design somehow makes wind and water feel dramatic. It's slow in the best way-like it wants you to sit with the characters and feel what they feel.

Did I expect more actual dogs? Maybe. But what I got was even better: a powerful indie film with heart, tension, and soul.

Rating: 9/10.