Watch Dogfight For Free

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Boring

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Truth be told, when i first came across this movie, River Phoenix was already a name i knew. His legacy, continuing. I had loved his performance in the movie 'stand by me' and i continued to search for his best work. What I didn't expect? The brilliance of Lili Taylor, whose work; i had never seen. Birdlace is quite different from the other personalities played by Phoenix, yet- it reminds me that we are all human; we are all trying to fit in. And this movie definitely broke the stereotypes, especially with Taylor's portrayal of Rose. Rose, who is probably somewhat invisible, has something that normal shy girls in movies don't : spunk. She bruises birdlace for his asshole manners, swears while ordering food to prove a point, does not care about what other people think and yet, is the most compassionate character i have ever seen. She did not need to leave her room after getting Birdlace's note to come outside, but she did; because she is the type of person who can give us the second chances we need- heck maybe even a third and fourth. I loved how the chemistry grew. How Eddie saw something in this girl who was willing to give him a chance when he didn't deserve it. Who Rose saw something in a boy who only knew how to be rude. But my favorite moment? When Eddie returns after all that time, and hugs Rose with vigour, and a look which conveys a complete mental breakdown. I've read other reviews. I know how people hate the way it ended. But I don't see that. I see a boy who could've died. Who could've died, knowing that he never wrote to the girl called Rose. This is his wake up call. Some things are worth fighting for. Thanks, dogfight. I salute you. I salute you too, Lili Taylor and River Phoenix.

The most atypical River Phoenix role, the furthest from his own personality comes in this film. In Dogfight River plays a young Marine recruit who along with buddies Richard Panebianco, Anthony Clark, and Mitchell Whitfield who are on a last night's leave and are heading from their Treasure Island base for a night of fun and frolic in the San Francisco of November, 1963. The guys are about to participate in a really mindless and sick ritual called a Dogfight. The guys seek out the ugliest woman they can find and bring her to a designated bar where they're judged. The 'winner' gets a prize of whatever monies the Marines have collected among themselves. Talk about objectifying the female body in a negative way.Phoenix hooks up with sweet and shy Lilly Taylor who really moved me with her performance. She and her mother run a coffee shop and she's a quiet kid into folk music, her favorite being Joan Baez. While the other three have the usual night on the town for the Armed Services, Phoenix and Taylor find they connect in ways that they never dreamed possible. As they get to know each other the audience sees a more typical River Phoenix.I remember seeing this when it first came out. It had a limited release and was restricted to art houses. The theater I saw it in was memorable too, it was the only one I've ever been in without a concession stand, not even concession machines. I guess in this no frills theater I was lucky they had rest rooms.Phoenix and Taylor make a very lovely couple. It's a good picture for River, but Taylor was the one who really blew me away.

Group of Marines in 1963 San Francisco compete to see who can get the ugliest date. River Phoenix's Eddie Birdlace manages to humiliate Lily Taylor's Rose before finally seeing the human being underneath the unattractive coif and clothes--which of course makes him a better man. Silly, dead-end premise is not enhanced by sloppy writing nor variable performances. Taylor's rage is convincing, yet she doesn't show much range as an actress (this may be the fault of the writing, as her Rose is flimsily constructed out of clichés). The film's title is a foolish conceit, though it matches up fairly well with the screenplay--both are simple-minded. The picture's third act abandons the rowdy bravado and settles into a more conventional 'romantic drama' scenario; this section actually works the best, although the characters still fail to surprise us. ** from ****

Interesting story focusing on hot-tempered, booze-loving, foul-mouthed Eddie Birdlace (brilliantly played by river phoenix)and his quest for an ugly-duckling to take with him to a dogfight. birdlace and his three friends each put in money for a bet, the one who takes the ugliest date to the dogfight wins the pot of money. Just before the dogfight begins, birdlace begins to have feelings for his date and as the movie progresses he falls deeper and deeper in love with her. Rose, his date to the dogfight (brilliantly played by Lili Taylor)also begins to fall in love with Eddie. There is romance, comedy, drama, swearing and lots more. This brilliantly acted and affectionate movie is well-worth watching and will probably have some in tears at the end. Co-stars include Richard Panebianco, Anthony Clark and Mitchell Whitfield. This film definitely won my approval, a well acted movie which is well cast down to the small roles. I give it a strong 9 out of 10.