Movie Loner

I usually avoid movies about dogs or starring dogs. Lassie, Benjie, Hooch, aren’t what I look for in a protagonist. A friend over at StumbleUpon recommended The Dog Problem so I took the bait. It’s been awhile since I’ve laughed-out-loud watching a comedy, but this little nugget of gold had me guffawing throughout. This film is one reason why I ask people to share their personal favorites.

Giovanni Ribisi plays Solo, an out-of-work writer with a penchant for self-loathing. Lonely and in need of distraction Solo heeds his therapist’s advice and buys a dog. His idle existence is turned upside down the moment the lovable mutt enters his apartment. In an attempt at bonding, Solo takes his nameless pooch to the dog park where he meets a celibate exotic dancer named Lola. An incident involving Lola’s dog sends Solo to the vet and ends in him owing Lola money.

Solo considers giving the dog up, until a low-rent hood (who he also owes money) and a flighty puppy broker take a deviant interest in the little tyke. Dodging his pursuers, Solo crashes at his buddy Casper’s place. A budding romance with Lola is interrupted by the disappearance of his four-legged friend. The dog’s sudden absence makes Solo realize he finally cares for something besides himself.

Known for playing tough guys in movies like Boiler Room, American Outlaws and Dallas 362, Writer/Director Scott Caan (Jimmy’s kid) tones it way down in this sharp little farce. Casting himself as the assured Casper, Caan complements Ribisi’s insecure Solo wonderfully. Ribisi deserves credit as well for giving Jimmy the Dog center stage. Jimmy’s indifference to his owner is priceless. Need a few good laughs, check out The Dog Problem.