Dog Park (1998)

Sex comedy takes a look at contemporary dating mores and hypothesizes that the new dating location may be the dog walk in the park. A mild-mannered man loses his present girl friend to ... See full summary »

Director:

Bruce McCulloch

Writer:

Bruce McCulloch

Stars:

Natasha Henstridge, Luke Wilson, Kathleen Robertson

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Natasha Henstridge	...	Lorna
Luke Wilson	...	Andy
Kathleen Robertson	...	Cheryl
Janeane Garofalo	...	Jeri
Bruce McCulloch	...	Jeff
Kristin Lehman	...	Keiran
Amie Carey	...	Rachel
Gordon Currie	...	Trevor
Harland Williams	...	Callum
Mark McKinney	...	Dr. Cavan, Dog Psychologist
Peter MacNeill	...	Neighbor
Albert Schultz	...	Male Dog Owner #2
Jerry Schaefer	...	Norm
Zachary Bennett	...	Dougie
Ron James	...	Male Dog Owner #1

Storyline

Sex comedy takes a look at contemporary dating mores and hypothesizes that the new dating location may be the dog walk in the park. A mild-mannered man loses his present girl friend to another man. His attraction to a kid's TV show hostess goes nowhere because of her obsession with her dog, Peanut. He then gets hooked up with an overly exuberant blonde who overwhelms him. He even lost his collie, Mogley, when his girl friend moved out. In a funny sub-plot, the collie is going to a doggie psychiatrist who determines the dog is being traumatized by his mistress' sexual antics. Jeri and Jeff are best friends whose constant smooching simply makes the leads life less comfortable.

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Plot Keywords:

dog | friend | dating | peanut | lightning | 

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Taglines:

In this town, the new hot spot, is with Spot.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality and language

Details

Official Sites:

Independent Pictures

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 September 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alysidota zevgaromata

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$154,524 (USA) (24 September 1999)

Gross:

$242,093 (USA) (1 October 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Accent Entertainment Corporation, Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), Harold Greenberg Fund, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In one scene in the movie, Andy goes into a bar with a bicycle wheel, saying that someone had stolen the rest of his bike. Director and co-star Bruce McCulloch once performed a skit on "Kids in the Hall" where he played a man whose bicycle wheel had been stolen, but the rest of the bike had been left behind.

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Quotes

Andy: You're wearing the uniform of the depressed: Sweatpants and a raincoat.

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Crazy Credits

Pictures of the main characters play throughout the credits.

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Connections

References Cyclo (1995)

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Soundtracks

"We Are The Supercool"
Written by Richard McNevin-Duff
Published by Soul Buddha (PRS)
Performed by Space Monkeys
Courtesy of Chignon/Interscope Records

User Reviews

Unusual and charming. Explores the heart truthfully

I liked it a lot. It's about people, not things or action or plot. That's uncommon these days, and should be applauded and supported by movie goers. People complain about f/x flicks, big cash blockbusters, and formulaic "lowest common denominator" pop-trash movies. That's a noble sentiment, but why not walk that talk? Why not get out to the theaters and pay to SEE movies that attempt to break out of the pop-culture molds? One of the reasons f/x (etc.) movies are almost all Hollywood makes anymore is because that's mostly all you and I pay to see anymore. Well, here's your chance to put your money where your mouth is and support something a little bit different.

"Dog Park" had a few annoying "snotty chick" cliches, but not too many, nor too bad. Whether or not this movie represents real life or not, I cannot say. Whether or not a movie, any movie, even SHOULD represent real life--who knows that, either? But, if art, good or bad, is designed to evoke a certain feeling, and certain vibes, then this movie does that very well. The specific events may or may not be "accurate," but the vibe and the results are.

Minor flaws aside-- and they are mostly mere quibbles-- this is a bright, charming, thoughtful movie about contemporary people. I think everyone could relate to, and benefit from, "Dog Park"'s exploration of the heart: its fear, courage, deadness, commitment and connection. I gave this movie an 8 out of 10.

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