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Lawn Dogs (1997)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Naomi Wallace (written by)
Release Date:
15 May 1998 (USA)
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Tagline:
Innocence is a dangerous friend
Plot:
Newly arrived in an up-market housing development, quiet ten-year-old Devon doesn't quite fit in. Ignoring the urgings of her social-climbing father...
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Plot Keywords:
Awards:
7 wins
&
3 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(8 articles)
Birthday Suits: Tilda's Frontal & Sam's Moon
(From FilmExperience. 5 November 2009, 9:30 AM, PST)
Free Flick Fridays: Lawn Dogs
(From Tribeca Film. 30 October 2009, 1:00 AM, PDT)
(From FilmExperience. 5 November 2009, 9:30 AM, PST)
Free Flick Fridays: Lawn Dogs
(From Tribeca Film. 30 October 2009, 1:00 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Moving and involving story of friendship which acts as an ode to the American poor
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Cast
(Complete credited cast) | Mischa Barton | ... | Devon Stockard |
 | Sam Rockwell | ... | Trent |
 | Christopher McDonald | ... | Morton Stockard |
 | Kathleen Quinlan | ... | Clare Stockard |
 | Miles Meehan | ... | Billy |
 | Bruce McGill | ... | Nash |
| David Barry Gray | ... | Brett |
 | Eric Mabius | ... | Sean Torrance |
 | Angie Harmon | ... | Pamela 'Pam' Gregory |
| José Orlando Araque | ... | Salvador the Mailman |
 | Beth Grant | ... | Trent's Mother |
 | Tom Aldredge | ... | Trent's Father |
| Odin the Dog | ... | Tracker |
| Tafeki the Dog | ... | Tracker |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for sexuality/nudity, violence and language.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
101 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Rankcolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:MA |
Germany:12 |
Portugal:M/16 (video premiere) |
Spain:13 |
UK:15 |
USA:R |
Singapore:PG
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The Rank Organization's last film and so the final time their famous gong man is to be seen introducing a movie.
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Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Devon refers to Baba Yaga as "he" several times and describes the character as having chicken legs, however, in Russian faerie tales/folklore Baba Yaga is an old woman and gets around by flying in a mortar and pestle, it is her house that runs about on chicken legs.
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Movie Connections:
References Sudden Impact (1983)
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Soundtrack:
We Are Family
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Trent is a young man living in a trailer in a wooded area beyond the suburbs. He makes a living cutting the massive lawns of the populace of a gated suburb village. He befriends a young girl from within the suburb, who herself has some stability issues, despite being only 10 years old. The two build a friendship despite the resentment towards the `white trash' Trent from within the suburb,
I didn't know what this film was about before I sat and watched it, reading the plot summary in the tv guide as the title sequence began, I wondered if I would bother, but I'm glad I did. The film works on several level – the most apparent of which is the simple story of a friendship that is threatened. This part works well as the friendship never seems forced and, although the spectre of sexual tension is there (in Trent occasionally feeling uncomfortable), it is not a strand that is actually part of their relationship.
This all works well due (in most part) to two great performances from Barton and Rockwell. Barton shows amazing maturity and ability to carry the role off without it being like many child stars (where it is clear they are forcing everything). Rockwell meanwhile is a mass of subtleties and little touches that make his character likeable.
However this part wouldn't work as well if it weren't for the wider theme of the trash being poorly treated by the smugger middle classes. This theme creates the reason for the threat to their friendship (more or less) but it also serves as a humbling attack on a class that lives a selfish, scared life behind gates with private security guards. Such places are increasingly common in America and this film is clear as to their effect on both those inside them as well as the wider community of America. Although it keeps a gentle tone for the most, the film depicts those in the suburb as selfish, aloof and fearful. Even more condemning about this depiction is that it never feels like they have been exaggerated or monsterised in any way!
The script is well written and certainly makes the actors jobs a lot easier – certainly Barton benefits from great dialogue and character development. Rockwell meanwhile benefits more from direction as much of his best work is not dialogue based. McDonald, Quinlan and McGill all do solid work in support. The end of the film is a little worrying as it appears to veer off at a tangent, but the final sentiment is beautifully presented and encouraging (albeit due to a child's apparent naivety).
Overall this is a lovely film that I'm very glad I watched. About more than just an adult/child friendship, this film is moving and involving in both it's core plot and it's wider themes.