Product Description

Four young Marines compete to see who can find the homliest date.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5197 in DVD
• Brand: Warner Brothers
• Released on: 2003-01-07
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English, French
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish, French
• Dubbed in: French
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 89 minutes

Amazon.com
Director Nancy Savoca tackles tough material in the battle of the sexes, late-teen division, and makes it bitterly moving. River Phoenix plays one of a group of youngish marines on the verge of shipping out to Southeast Asia in 1963 San Francisco. On their last night in port, they decide to hold a "dogfight": a contest to see who can get the ugliest girl to go out with him. Phoenix winds up with a pudgy waitress (Lili Taylor), who has dreams of being like her hero, Joan Baez. As he draws her out, he finds himself intrigued by the self-contained world she has created for herself and by the time he gets her to the dance he is regretting his decision--but is too macho to pull out. Barely released, the film features touching performances by both the late Phoenix and the always fascinating Taylor, who gives this character great dignity. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews

Beautiful, jarring
The story itself is pretty simple, but the execution of the story is what makes Dogfight a very lovely film. I think the actors did a great job conveying the awkwardness of what falling in love is all about. While Lili Taylor is not ugly at all, I like the idea of an "ugly girl" getting the guy without changing herself. She stayed true to herself until the very end. Speaking of which: The ending, in my opinion, is one of the most perfect endings I've seen for a movie - hands down. I don't really have much else to add except to say that Dogfight is a gripping love story and you will think about it long after the film is over. Dogfight is really well done and I hope that more people discover/experience it.

Wonderfully Unconventional Love Story
It's amazing how the studios can market dross to the public yet can't sell an endearing picture like "Dogfight". If I recall correctly, this picture didn't even run theatrically in Philly. This film is in essence a love story and the two principals, River Phoenix and Lili Taylor are most appealing and believable. There are other themes that run throughout this film. It serves as an expose of machismo in it's most phony and cruel forms. There is also a pacifistic message that runs through it with the nascent conflict in Vietnam in the background. Director Nancy Savoca weaves these themes passionately into the narrative but doesn't bludgeon the point. See this film for the heartbreaking final scene for nothing else. This film serves as a good epitaph for the tragically short-lived Phoenix. Look close for Brendan Fraser as a sailor.

Simply amazing
I am on a crusade to make sure as many people as possible see this film. It is unusual, funny, brilliantly acted and just beautiful. You dont get acting like this anymore and after watching this movie I am sure you'll agree that all other "teen" type movies fall so far short and seem almost contrived.

I just can get enough of this movie. River Phoenix is sadly no longer with us but you just want more of him as the Character Birdlace and more of Lili Taylor as Rose. BUY IT AND WATCH IT!