Dogfight (1991)

Before leaving to fight in Vietnam, a group of teenagers play a game where they try to seduce the ugliest girl they can find.

Director:

Nancy Savoca

Writer:

Bob Comfort

Stars:

River Phoenix, Lili Taylor, Richard Panebianco

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
River Phoenix	...	Eddie Birdlace
Lili Taylor	...	Rose
Richard Panebianco	...	Berzin
Anthony Clark	...	Oakie
Mitchell Whitfield	...	Benjamin
Holly Near	...	Rose Sr.
Elizabeth Daily	...	Marcie (as E.G. Daily)
Sue Morales	...	Ruth Two Bears
Christina Mastin	...	Linda
Christopher Shaw	...	Donavin
John Lacy	...	Fector
Chris San Nicholas	...	Dogfight Buddy
Brian Gotta	...	Dogfight Marine
Peg Phillips	...	Older Cafe Customer
Neal Allen	...	Sgt. Judge

Storyline

In 1963, the night before the 18 years old "Birdlace" Eddie and his friends are shipped to Vietnam. They play a dirty game called 'Dogfight': all of them seek a woman for a party, and who finds the most ugly one, wins a prize. Eddie finds the lonesome pacifist Rose working in a coffee shop. She's happy to accompany him - but then she sees through the game. However by this time he already learned to like her, so he follows her home. Will he manage to win her heart despite their differences?

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Plot Keywords:

toothless girl | feminist film | year 1963 | physical beauty as theme | john f. kennedy assassination | 

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Taglines:

A love story.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive strong language and a sexual scene

Did You Know?

Trivia

The character of Rose was originally supposed to be markedly overweight, but Lili Taylor made such an impression on director Nancy Savoca that the diminutive actress eventually won the part. Taylor did, however, gain 12 lbs. for the role and wore padding underneath her clothing.

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Goofs

The picture of American musician Bob Dylan that Rose points out to on her wall was taken in 1964, while the scene takes place in 1963.

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Quotes

Rose: What's a 'jarhead'?
Eddie Birdlace: Oh, that's just what we call ourselves. You see, i'm a United States marine. It's okay if we say it but if a squid say's it, you know, a sailor? then it's fist city. But it's alright if a, if a woman say's it... especially if she can sing as good as you can.
Rose: Thanks. Thanks very much. Jarhead.

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Connections

Featured in Women Make Film: A New Road Movie Through Cinema (2018)

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Soundtracks

What Have They Done to the Rain
Written by Malvina Reynolds
Published by Schroder Music Co.

User Reviews

Very Sweet.

"Dogfight", starring River Phoenix and Lili Taylor, is a surprisingly charming film. It tells a love story born of peculiar circumstances, much like "Marty" starring Ernest Borgnine. Phoenix and Taylor are quiet and awkward people on seemingly different paths who spend a short time together and wind up falling deeply in love with one another. The film is set against the backdrop of the autumn of 1963, prior to immense change in the United States. It is an intelligent work with a keen visual sense--watch for a kissing scene where our leads practically become musicbox dancers--and fine acting.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 October 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dogfight

Filming Locations:

Broadway between Kearny & Rowland - San Francisco, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$18,736, 15 September 1991

Gross USA:

$394,631

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$394,631

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1