Dogfight (1991)

Disturbing yet enthralling

A Brilliant Conflict

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

It's 1963, Eddie and his four best friends are all marines who have one night to spend before leaving the country. In this night the marines are going to play a game known as " Dogfight " where each of them have to search for the ugliest girl to bring to the dance, where they will be judged and the one who will bring the ugliest girl will win a prize. Of course the poor girls have no idea about the dogfight, they think the marines are truly into them. Eddie goes out into the streets looking for that girl, but all his chances in approaching girls were useless. Until it started raining and Eddie goes into a cafe shop to rest, there in a cafe he meets Rose, who her mother owns the cafe shop. He immediately talks to her to make her seem interested and then ask her to come to the party with him. Poor Rose goes to the party all dressed up and excited, then the story continues where Rose finds out about the dogfight, she will get hurt and slaps Eddie on the face. Eddie on the other hand feels lost and very upset and asks Rose for forgiveness by taking her to dinner. He will fall in Love with this girl who has a big heart and beautiful smile. I can't describe how beautiful it is just watch it already!! the discourages are filled with swear words thought :D Well, obviously River Phoenix is one of my all time favorite actor. I can't even count how many times I've watched this movie. I absolutely love it!! somehow this movie from the beginning until it ends it just makes me happy and changes my mood. It's cute, romantic, hilarious, and it makes me cry too. I Love Love the relationship between Liz Taylor and River in this movie, I adore them both. Plus, The soundtrack is amazing!!! and everything is on point.

Group of Marines in 1963 San Francisco compete to see who can get the ugliest date. River Phoenix's Eddie Birdlace manages to humiliate Lily Taylor's Rose before finally seeing the human being underneath the unattractive coif and clothes--which of course makes him a better man. Silly, dead-end premise is not enhanced by sloppy writing nor variable performances. Taylor's rage is convincing, yet she doesn't show much range as an actress (this may be the fault of the writing, as her Rose is flimsily constructed out of clichés). The film's title is a foolish conceit, though it matches up fairly well with the screenplay--both are simple-minded. The picture's third act abandons the rowdy bravado and settles into a more conventional 'romantic drama' scenario; this section actually works the best, although the characters still fail to surprise us. ** from ****

I saw this movie when it was released and found the story line to be very touching. It was set in a time that most of us can relate to. Actually, if you have lived through any war and watched the soldiers leave for active duty, you know the pangs young lovers experience when they say goodbye. I thought the actors all did a great job with their respective parts, especially Richard Panebianco, who played the part of Berzin and had the winning date. The scene on the dance floor was very funny. I would liked to have seen more of his character. The two stars Lili and River, were, as always, very good. This flick runs on TV every so often and if I catch it, I watch it - again and again.

Dogfight was an awesome movie, one of the best I've ever seen. I would give it 4 stars! It was sad, funny, romantic, and exciting all at the same time! River Phoenix did an excellent job in his role as Birdlace, a callous Marine. And Lili Taylor fit the part as Rose perfectly! It also sends a great message, that you cant judge a book by its cover. I recommend this film to anyone who enjoys great love stories. It was definitely a tear-jerker for me, (actually, I cried at the beginning, middle, and end!) This is the PERFECT movie for couples, or girls who are about to give up on love, because this film shows that you never know when, where, or how you are going to meet your true love.