The title character, recently unemployed but charming as hell rogue (Jason Patric) and father of two little girls, gets an ultimatum from his shrill ex-wife (Drea de Matteo): The girls for $5,000. Wasn't it illegal to sell people in the 1950's? Never mind that. Seems Patric's out of luck until a stranger (Sam Shepherd) rolls into town (small mining town on the downslide) and offers to buy his beloved pet, Brute, a really fine looking dog. Refusing to give up his faithful companion, who is constantly by his side even at the local bar, the desperate Patric does get involved in Shepherd's racket, illegal dog-fighting, to make the money he needs to get his kids away from his skank of an ex. Hmm -- selling children, OK. Fighting dogs, no... Don't mistake the dry humor, we liked it quite a lot actually. Patric carries the first half or so. It's got a real boy/man-and-his-dog feel that we found endearing. We all know he can do understated and majorly intense better than most anyone, but who knew he could do mischievous so well? And you see growth in the character as he makes tough decisions. De Matteo I could do without, which actually means she did fine. Her character isn't supposed to be likable. Shepherd's an oily bastard, like the devil in a leisure suit. Nicely done there. The rogue's not getting any from his ex, unless you're one of those who thinks being slapped and yelled at is foreplay, so naturally he has a love interest (KaDee Strickland), who besides being pretty tries to steer her man down her idea of the right path. Rounding out the names is Bruce Dern as Patric's father. Sort of a window dressing part, but he does it well. The dog scenes? My wife averted her eyes once or twice and I had to cringe, but such things should affect you. If not, something's wrong with you. I don't know much about the technical aspects, but looks like they used fast action or something so it's not overly graphic, but still real enough to tug at the ol' heartstrings. Anyway, good movie. Anything that leaves us talking afterwards and asking "What Would You Do?" is good. Since we can't give it an 8.5, have to round up to 9: Unique storyline, great job by Patric and Shepherd, gotta love the dog. Recommended for all fans of Patric, Shepherd or de Matteo, folks who like dilemma flicks, and anyone who loves dogs. That should cover just about everybody. Saw it in NYC/Tribeca, but expect to see it picked up and shared with the rest of the world and we'll see it again when it makes it down to us in Mo. A word to the producers: With the DVD, add something about the dogs, actors playing with the dogs, how you go about staging the fights or something. Of course, they weren't hurt -- probably treated like canine kings -- but it's still nice to have assurances. Besides who doesn't like cute animal footage?
Review of Walker Payne
