Monday 7 November 2005
Dogfight (1991)
Sometimes after viewing some newly-released rubbish, I need to re-charge my batteries by revisiting a small masterpiece. Set in 1963, on the eve of being sent to Vietnam, four young marine buddies on leave decide to hold one of their regular dogfights -- this involves each of them turning up with the ugliest date they can find in order to win a prize. The one whose fortunes concern us is played by the much-missed River Phoenix; he hones in on the socially inexperienced Lili Taylor who was a fine actress even then (of course she may be on the plain side, but one could never call her ugly as her personality always shines through). Anyhow when she discovers why he has asked her out, she is not only hurt but lets him know it. He can't quite get her out of his mind and tries to find her; his apologies are genuine and they end up spending the evening and night together -- just two sweet youngsters. He doesn't write as promised when sent overseas, but after he is wounded in battle and released, he makes his way back to San Francisco -- the scene of that poignant date.
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Now you're scratching old memories. Shortly after River Phoenix died they relayed all his films. I saw every single one. And in this he looked as gorgeous as ever. It's an old theme - you pretend to fall in love for some trick, but then you actually do (who could resist?). He seriously was the perfect actor - he played his part instead of himself, few people in Hollywood can do that, but then maybe that was his weird background. His brother, Leaf (aka Joaquin) just doesn't cut it the same - and his films are always a massive dissappointment and you're left with the question why? Then again, you're thankful for the films he did behind him, each one of them masterpeices in character acting. And this is one of them.
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