How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog (2000)

A sarcastic playwright in LA gets new neighbors - single mom and 8 y.o. girl. His wife wants kids and babysits the girl. He doesn't want kids yet plays with her to find out how children talk - for his play. Paternal instincts?

Director:

Michael Kalesniko

Writer:

Michael Kalesniko

Stars:

Kenneth Branagh, Robin Wright, Suzi Hofrichter

6 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kenneth Branagh	...	Peter McGowen
Robin Wright	...	Melanie McGowen (as Robin Wright Penn)
Suzi Hofrichter	...	Amy Walsh
Lynn Redgrave	...	Edna
Jared Harris	...	False Peter
Peter Riegert	...	Larry
David Krumholtz	...	Brian Sellars
Johnathon Schaech	...	Adam
Kaitlin Hopkins	...	Victoria
Suzy Joachim	...	Allana
Brett Rickaby	...	Janitor
Lucinda Jenney	...	Trina Walsh
Derek Kellock	...	Amy's Father
Stacy Hogue	...	Babysitter
Peri Gilpin	...	Debra Salhany

Storyline

Shy, chain-smoking, insomniac Peter McGowan is a Los Angeles playwright with a string of hits that preceded his current ten years of failed productions. His mother-in-law is sinking into senility. A stranger is meandering the neighborhood claiming to be him. Neighbors have a new dog that barks all night. His wife wants to have a child, and he does not. He's become impotent. He's working on a new play when a single mother moves in next door with her eight-year-old daughter. His wife immediately invites the girl into the McGowan household. Will this child stir Peter's paternal feelings? Will she also help him get his dialogue right? And what of his doppelganger and the neighbor's dog?

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Plot Keywords:

neighbor | dog | doppelganger | girl | play | 

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Taglines:

One man's pet is another man's peeve.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 March 2003 (France)

Also Known As:

Como Matar o Cão do Vizinho

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$7,300,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$18,956, 24 February 2002

Gross USA:

$48,564

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinerenta Medienbeteiligungs KG, Lonsdale Productions, Millennium Films

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Outside of festivals, this movie did not receive a major theatrical release and wound up going directly to cable.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Handler: Mr. McGowen, I think we're ready. This way, please.

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Crazy Credits

After the credits roll, there is a short break showing the scene portraying the dog after it had been shot. The director shouts "cut," and the dog gets off the ground and barks.

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Connections

References Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)

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Soundtracks

Sign of the Times
Written by Tony Hatch

User Reviews

Laugh out loud funny!!

I saw this movie at the Toronto International Film Festival and it was the funniest movie I had seen in years. The writing was fantastic and the performances were excellent. Kenneth Branagh's timing of his lines were perfect and the audience (of 2000) were literally laughing so hard we were crying. Definitely thumbs up!!!!A Must see!!