Dogfight

Rating:
Summary: A touching love story
Review: The rules of the dogfight were simple. Everyone puts in fifty dollars and the guy with the ugliest 'date' wins.

River Phoenix plays a rowdy young marine caught up in the whole lifestyle. He and his fellow marines routinely organise a "dogfight." Birldlace (River Pheonix)invites Rose (Lili Taylor). What he does not forsee, is that by the end of their evening together, the two of them have fallen in love. Birdlace is than shipped out to Vietnam to fight where three of his companions perish. He returns a broken man... I loved this movie and the ending is perfect. This is on my all-time favorites/must see list!

Rating:
Summary: Takes Your Breath Away
Review: This film is one of my favorites. I have enjoyed a lot of River's roles but none like the lovesick marine he plays in Dogfight. He and Lili Taylor have excellent chemistry that makes this the perfect date film.

The film starts with Eddie Birdlace AKA Birdlegs ( Phoenix ) reminiscing about the night before he left for the Vietnam war. We learn about his three marine friends who help him form the Four B's. The last night before they leave they embark on a traditional girl hunt called " Dogfight ". The object is to find the ugliest woman you can find and bring her to the marine's dance so she can be judged on. If your date is the ugliest, you win money. Sounds cruel? Well it is. Anyway, Eddie finds quiet, innocent slightly plump and unique-looking Rose ( Lili Taylor ) at her mother's diner. He's attracted to her singing more than her figure. He ropes her into accepting his invitation to the dogfight. Seeing how Rose doesn't have many dates she jumps at the chance to be with the handsome marine. At the dance Rose learns of the horrible reason Eddie invited her. Eddie makes it his mission of the night to apologize. By this time he really likes her. She allows him to take her for a night on the town in which the two fall hopelessly in love. They end the night very romantically and Eddie leaves to hook up with the other B's so they can leave for the war.

This movie is one of the most touching I have ever seen. It drug out many emotions. I was angry at how cruel Eddie could be, but at the same time I felt sorry for him. I realized he didn't know any better. The turning point was how Rose was able to show him that his faults may not have been visible as hers, but were actually worse. The acting was wonderful. Lili and River did a great job and they fit the parts beautifully. Taylor is always a breath of fresh air and is one of the most underrated film stars. This is another movie that saddens River fans because unfortunately he is no longer with us. Dogfight was River's best film in my opinion. It's a love story that tugs at your heart and opens your eyes. It's a film for everyone to enjoy. And for the record, Lili Taylor is prettier than most. The sad thing about this film is that " dogfights " are real. But this movie allows the culprits to see how their victims feel. Lili Taylor is a true winner in this one. Enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: finally!
Review: This is one of my all time favorite sleepers. I have been waiting years now for this to come out on DVD. The beauty of this film is that, unlike common Hollywood fare, all the characters have depth. The love story between River Pheonix and Lili Taylor is sweet and moving, but in addition, you see the best and worst sides of the supporting characters. In the end, you are left with the sense of the individual dignity of each person, from the young soldiers to the young ladies they are conning into their game.

Rating:
Summary: finally!
Review: This is one of my all time favorite sleepers. I have been waiting years now for this to come out on DVD. The beauty of this film is that, unlike common Hollywood fare, all the characters have depth. The love story between River Pheonix and Lili Taylor is sweet and moving, but in addition, you see the best and worst sides of the supporting characters. In the end, you are left with the sense of the individual dignity of each person, from the young soldiers to the young ladies they are conning into their game.

Rating:
Summary: RIVER EXCELL AGAIN
Review: This little film is a real treat. You`ll find actors depending on no production values whatsoever.... just the talents God himself gaveèm...
And in front we have River Phoenix and Lili Taylor playing 2 people at odds with each other. They come 2 LIKE and respect each another and the dialogue is never corny...
No wonder why River has such cult. His careerchoices were ace...
It`s in the same vain as BEFORE SUNRISE actually...

Rating:
Summary: My Favorite!
Review: This movie is great for guys and girls, my husband even likes and we never agree! It touched me so much the first time I viewed it that I now watch it every chance I get, it never gets boring! I am so glad that it was not a huge hit at the box office, I feel like it is my little secret, shhhh, don't tell your friends. OK well maybe your best friend!

Rating:
Summary: I love this movie!!
Review: This movie is my favorite movie of all time. It truly is a sleeper film that is better than most of the big-budget films that are so common these days.
There are only a few movies I have watched where I didn't want the movie to end, and this is one of them.
Truly a masterpiece of a movie!

Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful, True to life story
Review: This movie was directed by Nancy Savoca, a woman who did much with low budgets. Here she gets her first fairly large budget (but still not much by Hollywood Standards) and she gives us a wonderful story. Set on the Eve of the Kennedy Assasination, when most people thought Vietnam was a minor annoyance that would be quickly solved, Sgt. Eddie Birdlace(River Phoenix) and his pals have landed in San Francisco. Birdlace has to find the ugliest date he can to Bring to the "Dogfight". The Dogfight is a party where Marines bring their "dates", and the one with the ugliest date wins. This seemed believeable to me because of the time the movie was set in (1963). Birdlace settles on Rose Fenney, played to perfection by Lily Taylor. I wont delve too much more into the story, but the love that devlops between Fenney and Birdlace is something to behold. Birdlace ships out and returns to a very different San Francisco in 1967. This movie was barely released, and I cant understand why. It was an excellent one. The soundtrack was superb, but I cant seem to find it anywhere.

Rating:
Summary: I never had a favorite movie until I saw Dogfight.
Review: This movie will make you cry. It'll break your heart! It is so sweet and it illustrates how sometimes love has more power over us than we like to believe. It takes place in one night. Just one night and two people accidently fall in love and share times neither will ever forget. But what happens after he ships out for Vietnam? The end will make you choke down the tears.

Rating:
Summary: Charming and bittersweet
Review: Though I never saw this film in theaters, the quality and originality was astounding. Very true and touching performances by Lili Taylor and the amazing River Phoenix were obvious highlights. I really enjoyed the non-traditional love story the film depicted. It was much more realistic than what is typical of the genre. The soundtrack to this film is wonderful, but seems to be unavailable or out of print. A somewhat different view is presented of the Vietnam experience. I appreciate the way this film does not try to force too many epiphanies or life-affirming changes down my throat, choosing the main focus to be a love story that is never really able to develop. That seems to say enough.