Movie Review: The Dog Problem by JR

Title: The Dog Problem
Starring: Giovanni Ribisi, Don Cheadle, Scott Caan, Lynn Collins, Mena Suvari
Directed By: Scott Caan
Written By: Scott Caan
Genre: Comedy
Release Date: September 11, 2006
MPAA Rating: R for language, some sexual content and nudity
Distributors: A Thousand Words

Solo (Giovanni Ribisi) is as alone as his name implies. Desperate for a connection with a human, he takes the advice of his therapist (Don Cheadle) and buys a dog. The new pet also provides the means for Solo to finally meet a girl (Lynn Collins) by way of a dog park and a few unusual circumstances. Written and directed by Scott Caan, who also plays Solo’s best friend, “The Dog Problem” is an adorable, quirky romantic comedy with more substance than you may think.

I hadn’t heard a darn thing about this movie. The only reason I saw it instead of “The Namesake” was because 1) the start time and 2) I was there with my sister and she loves romantic comedies. I have no problem with the occasional rom com. I’m a girl, dammit! Sometimes we just like sappy stuff. “The Dog Problem” however, was sweet and sappy, but more along the lines of Woody Allen than your typical rom com. The dialogue was sharp, witty, and like sounded like normal everyday conversations.

Solo, Giovanni Ribisi’s character, is a highly relatable character. He’s got money problems, he’s depressed, he doesn’t think he has any friends although Scott Caan is a pretty good friend, he doesn’t think he can get a girl, he thinks he’s a failure at his job (he’s a writer), who can’t relate to that? The guy is so desperate for a connection, that he buys his therapist gifts that can’t be accepted for professional reasons. He’s the perfect anti-hero, and this is the perfect role for Ribisi. Just quirky enough, but not as quirky as some of his past roles.

The rest of the cast is wonderful as well. Lynn Collins is adorable as Lola, a stripper not ashamed of her job. Scott Caan is great as the sex-obsessed best friend. Mena Suvari was hysterical as a snobby dog caretaker. Tito Ortiz from UFC even made a cameo as a bodyguard. It was great seeing him in a movie, especially without dialogue so the movie didn’t take a turn for the worst a la the WWE movies that have been coming out recently.

Random thoughts: The music was perfect! Mark Mothersbaugh wrote original music for the movie and it fits it like a glove. Also, the opening credits sequence was one of the coolest and most mesmerizing I think I’ve ever seen. Oh and the dog? This is possibly the cutest ugly dog I’ve ever seen.

“The Dog Problem” was a great movie for my sister-night-out. It’s a movie for men and women, dog lovers and dog haters (though I don’t think there are too many of those out there). It’s a movie for everyone.