The Dog Problem
By Mal Simons, Blockbuster.co.uk

“Eat. Sleep. Therapy. Repeat.”

After a year’s worth of daily councilling, Solo (Giovanni Ribisi) is broke. Telling his therapist Dr Nourmand (Don Cheadle) that he can’t come any more as he can’t afford it; his doctor advises Solo to get a pet. A troubled writer who went into therapy after he wrote a very popular but also very bad book, Solo has burnt through all his profits from his first book and an advance from his loan shark Benny (Kevin Corrigan). But lacking resolution, he takes his doctor’s advice and buys a dog, which aggravates Benny still further as he’s spending more of his money.

When he gets the dog, Solo is quite possibly the worst owner a puppy could get. He has no idea how to toilet train the dog, he regularly forgets dog food so tries to feed it peanut butter and can’t decide on a name (which I’m sure makes the training more difficult). After a few days, he decides that he is not the right person to own a dog but can’t return it back to the store. When an opportunity emerges to sell it to spoilt brat Jules (Mena Suvari), who instantly gets on his nerves, he realises that the dog is actually the only thing in his life that he cares about and refuses to part with him.

An incident at a dog park introduces Solo to Lola (Lynn Collins), a down to earth stripper. The two of them are opposites in many ways – Lola is outgoing, Solo is withdrawn but regardless they hit it off and may even get Solo’s life figured out… if Benny and Jules don’t catch up with him first.

I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting much from this movie; I thought this would be some dodgy romantic comedy… or should that be ‘doggy’ romantic comedy. Instead, I found one of the best indie comedies that I’ve come across in a long time – sort of The Station Agent crossed with Garden State. Intelligent, light hearted and fun.

Writer / Director Scott Caan, the son of acclaimed actor James Caan has done a top job in this film, and even appears as Solo’s best friend. While his film didn’t have the budget or the attention than it deserved, to be honest, it doesn’t really need it – this is just a good, character driven comedy that draws you in within the first few minutes.

Much of the appeal of this picture has to do with Giovanni Ribisi’s inspired performance. A talented character actor that makes even bad pictures watchable; Ribisi excels here in making his self loathing, worrier character into someone that the audience can root for. Special mention should also go to Ribisi’s co-star Lynn Collins who’s portrayal of her character as a confident late twenties American woman – unapologetic for a lack of ambition, is one of the more touching parts of the film that most of us can relate to.

All in all, a good independent film with some solid performances from the two leads. It’s a slow burner that can be a little off putting to begin with but give it a chance and there is plenty to enjoy with this picture. It’s not for everyone, however if you liked The Station Agent, you should love this.