Rating: 
Summary: "I don't like ribbons and I got me a hangover."
Review: "Lawn Dogs" from Australian director John Duigan is a really remarkable film. It's the story of 10-year-old Devon (Mischa Barton) who lives with her parents Morton and Clare Stockard (Christopher McDonald & Kathleen Quinlan). The Stockards live in the ostentatious gated community, Camelot Estates--and as the name implies, every house looks like a faux mansion. There's a gruff security guard dedicated to keeping the snobs in and the riff raff out. But someone has to keep those immaculate lawns impeccably green, and that's where Trent (Sam Rockwell) comes in. Trent lives near the Camelot Estates in a tatty old trailer, and Devon, who embarks on a cookie sale, finds her way to Trent's trailer. Trent is the living embodiment of everything her parents abhor and turn away from in horror. Devon intuitively senses that Trent's existence challenges her parents' shallow values, and one of the things she tells him is "people say you're trash." This is the beginning of an odd friendship between Devon and Trent. There is such much going on in this film. On one level, there's a precocious child who seeks out the forbidden company of the hired help. But on another level, there's a perverse fairy story--Devon, a frail child--mutters fragments of fairy stories to herself for entertainment. She discovers a remarkably free world beyond the boundaries of her artificial kingdom. Mischa Barton plays Devon with amazing skill. It would be easy for her character to develop into brattiness, but instead Devon seems almost a changeling child--how could such an elf-like spirit belong to the pedestrian, hypocritical Stoddards? It's no wonder Devon strains to break free from the false conventions the Stoddards attempt to control her with. The film also deals with class divisions. The well-to-do (and they are mostly snottily unpleasant) live in the pristine Camelot Estates, but from necessity, they employ Trent to complete the manual work. While wealthy yobos harass and ridicule Trent, it's clear that on some level, these lay-abouts are also a little fearful of Sam's raw energy and potent virility. Hostility seems rooted in the theory that Trent is out to ruin the lifestyle of Camelot Estates, and that he may even appeal to the women within this perfect, gated community. Devon is drawn to Sam, and while their relationship seems inexplicable at first, it seems that they do have something in common. Devon remains a unique individual in spite of all her parents' attempts to make her conform by offering little pep talks ("a popular girl is never bored or boring"). Devon responds by playing Amputee Checkers with her dolls. I am not one normally to be intrigued with the characters of children in films, but with Devon, I make an exception. At what age does individualism become apparent? Is Devon's rebellion just the beginning or the end of a new phase in her life? We imagine that a gated community is built to keep out undesirable elements, but what happens if an individual (Devon in this case) longs to get out? I have read many negative professional reviews about this film, but it's a great favourite with me. If you enjoy this film, then I also recommend "You Can Count On Me."--displacedhuman.
Rating:
Summary: Innocence is a dangerous friend
Review: This movie is an endearing tale of two square pegs in a round world. Devon, played by Mischa Barton, is a ten-year-old girl who has recently moved with her mother (Kathleen Quinlan) and father (Christopher McDonald) into an upscale, gated community with large houses and even larger lawns. Devon isn't really interested in her peers, as "they smell like TV and talk too fast" so she tends to keep to herself, creating her own little worlds and stories, one, in particular that involves a witch named Baba Yaga and a young girl, presumably in reference to herself. Trent (Sam Rockwell) is an early twenty something man who makes his living mowing lawns in the affluent community that Devon and her family reside. Being that Trent is from 'the wrong side of the tracks', we get a sense that while it's acceptable for him to be in the enclosed community to do his work, once he's finished, he should collect his pay and be gone. This is exemplified by the security officer (Bruce McGill) telling Trent that if he plans to be in the neighborhood past 5PM, he'd better clear it with him. I think this also shows an underlying sense of paranoia within the exclusive community towards outsiders. The meeting of Devon and Trent occurs one day while Devon is attempting (hardly) to sell cookies for some sort of campfire girls' organization. Seems she is doing it more to appease her upwardly mobile conscious father than anything else, and she decides to venture outside of the gated community to see what lies beyond the walls. She comes across a ramshackle mobile home, finds no one home, and ventures inside. Just so happens this is where Trent lives, and he returns to find Devon inside his home. He doesn't become angry, probably because he's got little or nothing worth stealing, but seems annoyed at this small intruder, as he tells her this is private property, and he "ain't interested in buying no cookies". Devon leaves, but seems to have taken an interest in Trent. She returns the next day, where she spies Trent and Pam (Angie Harmon) in a compromising position through a window of the trailer home. Pam, a resident of the same community as Devon, appears to be just some rich girl getting her jollies with the local help, and this is confirmed later. Trent, seeming to understand the extent of their relationship, makes some comments about wanting to meet her family, to which Pam says "Yeah, right". Trent doesn't seem too put out by this, but then I probably wouldn't either as Angie Harmon is a fabulous babe. What this does show, in my opinion, is yet another way the elitist class of the upscale community uses Trent for there own purposes, mowing lawns, sexual forays, or just a target for their deriding remarks. After Pam leaves, Devon and Trent talk about various things, and find that they have something in common in that they have both had near death experiences. Trent, a little puzzled at why this girl has taken an interest in him, sees that she's harmless but understands that people would most likely misinterpret their relationship, and tells Devon that they can be friends, but it has to be secret. One day, while Trent is mowing a lawn across the street from Devon's house, Devon brings him some water, against her mother's wishes. Trent gives Devon a turtle, which he rescued by not running over with his mower, or as Trent put it, "turning into spaghetti". Devon's mother, not aware of their friendship, assumes the gift is an implication that Trent wants something from Devon, and his motives are of a sinister nature. Eventually the innocent relationship between Devon and Trent is discovered, and immediately construed as being something that it's not. I can't really blame them too much, as I would probably be a little suspicious of a twenty plus year old man and a 10-year-old girl spending a lot of time together. Devon actually brings it to light, after an unfortunate incident with a dog. This leads to a violent confrontation outside Trent's home, and an unusual ending that was very unanticipated but ties in nicely with elements of the story. The ending countered very nicely the sense of pathos I developed as their friendship flourished, knowing that it would end badly. There are many scenes I didn't go into, providing a richer depth of the main characters, fleshing them out quite nicely. One thing I found quite interesting was the way the community members were so quick to think the worst of Trent, and in the end, labeling him a monster, yet, we see that the true monster lies within themselves, in their infidelities, lies, contempt of those that are different, the sense of superiority that sometimes comes from wealth and power, and the perverse pleasure received by the subtle and not so subtle humiliation of those not in the same social class. The wide screen presentation is very nice, along with the audio, and the special features include trailers and filmographies of the director and some of the stars. Ignore the cover art on the DVD case, as it alludes to some kind of sexual encounter between the characters shown, which never happens. I'm assuming this was done in an effort to drawn people in, as sex sells, but, if that's your looking for, then you will probably be disappointed. If your bag is an excellent little movie with interesting characters, good direction, a smidgen of humor, a dash of fantasy, and a rewarding ending, then look no further.
Rating: 
Summary: Mischa the Magician
Review: This is an obscure independent film, yet it has over sixty (!) reviews here at Amazon. I think that alone says something about it. I've read all the reviews below (since I'd already seen the film), and almost all of them are overwhelmingly positive. And for good reason, too. I like a mindless effects-driven movie as much as the next person, but, like a professional film reviewer, I've seen so many movies that I'm hard to surprise. Lawn Dogs mesmerized me, and less than 1% of films can do that. The production design reminds me of a David Lynch film. Rockwell is an actor's actor, and Barton's performance is remarkable for someone her age. She was cast as the child she physically was at the time, but most of the dialog is as if she's a 35 year-old in a child's body...which is completely unrealistic of course, but the dialog is good nonetheless, and Barton pulls it off magnificently. Lawn Dogs is far from perfect, but it's a must-see for all intelligent film lovers because it does what so few films can do to a jaded viewer: it transports you into a different world. If you don't own a large screen, sit close. Turn on the DVD player, turn out the lights and get sucked in.
Rating:
Summary: I can't stop watching it!
Review: Why is it the best films are always the ones you never hear about? This film is almost three years old and I've just discovered this treasure. Mischa Barton and Sam Rockell are simply amazing. I wasn't surprised to discover the writer is a poet and playwright. The movie is likely poetry on the screen. The satire, images, and symbology were wonderfully done. And of course none of this could have worked if not for the tremendous talent of young Mischa Barton. She is captivating from the first scene. For the reviewer who seemed to have trouble with the storyline-- this movie does not follow the traditional plot line. In that it is wonderfully rewarding as each scene is a fresh surprise right up til the very end! And the scene where Trent touches her scar is certainly not done inappropriately. In fact, it reinforces the entire theme of hypocrisy. The wealthy boy who truly meant to harm Devon doesn't get a second thought from her parents, but Trent (who intends NO harm to Devon) is immediately found guilty by all involved. If you enjoy character driven movies, don't miss this one!
Rating:
Summary: "I don't like ribbons and I got me a hangover."
Review: "Lawn Dogs" from Australian director John Duigan is a really remarkable film. It's the story of 10-year-old Devon (Mischa Barton) who lives with her parents Morton and Clare Stockard (Christopher McDonald & Kathleen Quinlan). The Stockards live in the ostentatious gated community, Camelot Estates--and as the name implies, every house looks like a faux mansion. There's a gruff security guard dedicated to keeping the snobs in and the riff raff out. But someone has to keep those immaculate lawns impeccably green, and that's where Trent (Sam Rockwell) comes in. Trent lives near the Camelot Estates in a tatty old trailer, and Devon, who embarks on a cookie sale, finds her way to Trent's trailer. Trent is the living embodiment of everything her parents abhor and turn away from in horror. Devon intuitively senses that Trent's existence challenges her parents' shallow values, and one of the things she tells him is "people say you're trash." This is the beginning of an odd friendship between Devon and Trent. There is such much going on in this film. On one level, there's a precocious child who seeks out the forbidden company of the hired help. But on another level, there's a perverse fairy story--Devon, a frail child--mutters fragments of fairy stories to herself for entertainment. She discovers a remarkably free world beyond the boundaries of her artificial kingdom. Mischa Barton plays Devon with amazing skill. It would be easy for her character to develop into brattiness, but instead Devon seems almost a changeling child--how could such an elf-like spirit belong to the pedestrian, hypocritical Stoddards? It's no wonder Devon strains to break free from the false conventions the Stoddards attempt to control her with. The film also deals with class divisions. The well-to-do (and they are mostly snottily unpleasant) live in the pristine Camelot Estates, but from necessity, they employ Trent to complete the manual work. While wealthy yobos harass and ridicule Trent, it's clear that on some level, these lay-abouts are also a little fearful of Sam's raw energy and potent virility. Hostility seems rooted in the theory that Trent is out to ruin the lifestyle of Camelot Estates, and that he may even appeal to the women within this perfect, gated community. Devon is drawn to Sam, and while their relationship seems inexplicable at first, it seems that they do have something in common. Devon remains a unique individual in spite of all her parents' attempts to make her conform by offering little pep talks ("a popular girl is never bored or boring"). Devon responds by playing Amputee Checkers with her dolls. I am not one normally to be intrigued with the characters of children in films, but with Devon, I make an exception. At what age does individualism become apparent? Is Devon's rebellion just the beginning or the end of a new phase in her life? We imagine that a gated community is built to keep out undesirable elements, but what happens if an individual (Devon in this case) longs to get out? I have read many negative professional reviews about this film, but it's a great favourite with me. If you enjoy this film, then I also recommend "You Can Count On Me."--displacedhuman.
Rating:
Summary: Sam Rockwell steals the show..
Review: I absolutly loved this movie. An unlikely friendship is at the center of this wonderful movie that quite frankly had a surprisingly magical ending. In an upper class neighborhood in the state of Kentucky, a young man (Rockwell) who landscapes for the snobby residents befriends a 10 year old girl (Mischa Barton). She is the daughter of one of the most well known couples (Christopher McDonald & Kathleen Quinlan) in the neighborhood. The unlikely friendship becomes quite the upset once it's discovered. Everyone thinks that Sam Rockwell's character is trash. He lives in a rundown trailer down a gravel road thats near their upper class estates. No one understands the friendship that Trent and Devon have. Devon likes Trent because he's different and they have a little something in common. LAWN DOGS is funny, touching, and just a very satisfying movie. If you've just watched this movie I would like to request that you read Roger Ebert's review on LAWN DOGS, the highly respected critic totally missed the point of the movie, he gave it one and a half stars. Note that he asks 'why this?' & 'why that?', thats the whole point ..WHY?. The film allows you to draw your own conclusions. LAWN DOGS is a very underrated film.
Rating:
Summary: TRULY MEMORABLE!
Review: I rented this movie a few years ago just out of curiosity, without any big expectations, and I was blown away by how touching and bold it was. Lawn Dogs is one of those rare movies that you think about days, weeks, months after viewing it. Of course I immediately bought the DVD and still watch it frequently. It's that good! Sam Rockwell gives an amazing performance. 5 stars!
Rating:
Summary: A Profound Experience...
Review: The only reason I came across this film was in a search for movies starring Angie Harmon (a prior obsession). From the reviews I read the story actually seemed interesting with the potential to be quite moving, so I decided to buy it.... ...and I've never been so moved and touched by a story in my life. I'm a 21 year old male who found himself brought to tears at this film's close. I'm tempted to talk about specific parts of this movie but for those who haven't seen it, I can only suggest, in the most profound and well-intentioned way possible, that you take the time to find this movie and watch it for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Great change of pace
Review: Enough people have generally explained the plot, so I will not. Suffice it to say this is Mischa's best movie, and perhaps the best of any actors first performance. Unfortunately, her subsequent major roles are hit-and-miss - "Skipped Parts" being a hit, and "Lost and Delirious" is to be avoided at all costs. Sam Rockwell was also excellent as "Trent", the friend of Mischa's character ("Devon"). Elsewhere I read the one negative review of this movie by someone who seemed upset over nudity and child pornography. The fact that Mischa is topless for a few seconds (and shot from across the street, at night, and about 2 inches tall on my TV) does not quite fit the category of child pornography, I do not think, unless you are predisposed that way and really, really hard up. This is a story about a mis-matched friendship, and all the prejudices that attracts, plain and simple. Great dialog, too. Also, ignore the DVD cover - it has nothing to do with the movie. Why the mother takes up half the cover is a mystery - she is a minor character. The picture of the shirtless man is, I think, from the photo of his high-diving award, and the image of Devon and Trent on the truck actually takes place on a river bank, not on a lawn. I suppose it is Hollywood's influence creeping in - fortunately it does not affect the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Mischa Barton at her best
Review: I bought this video and watched it many times. The positives: (1) Mischa Barton is utterly adorable in her short dresses and early teen-like idealism, obsessiveness, and facial expressiveness; (2) good social commentary on the clash between the lower classes and upper classes; (3) realistic in its depiction of modern paranoia, favoritism, discrimination, injustice; (4) bold hints of an intergenerational romantic relationship between the two main characters; (5) clever connection of Devon witnessing a dog being beaten to death by the supposedly bad guy followed by a man being beaten to death by the supposedly good guys; (6) realistic incidents about dishonest police and security guard. The negatives: (1) mournful slide guitar music that is depressing and doesn't even fit; (2) unrealistic in the details of secret affairs, lack of legal consequences of exposing oneself nude in public, not reporting vandalism, family argument over a flag, etc.; (3) totally unrealistic and inexplicable change from the realistic to fantasy realm in the last minute of the film; (4) hard to identify with any of the characters because they all lack integrity; (5) inexplicable actions throughout, like throwing away a nightgown, or downplaying a serious complaint, or spitting out food; (6) confusing gay innuendos that neither add anything nor develop into anything; (7) too many gross jokes like a smashed fly, turtle poop, smelling urine, peeing in a puddle; (8) pointless and annoying censorship in the various skin exposure scenes. Final assessment: Despite the several minor negatives, this is definitely worth seeing, and definitely worth owning if you like Mischa Barton.
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