Title: Dogman
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Director: Matteo Garrone
Starring: Marcello Fonte, Edoardo Pesce, Nunzia Schiano
Runtime: 1 hr 43 mins

What It Is: Marcello (Fonte) is a mild-mannered and prize-winning dog groomer in his small Italian town. When a man he considers a friend…and one he’s also afraid of named Simoncino (Pesce). When he takes the wrap for Simon in a crime he didn’t commit. His expectation is that now that he’s done this for him the debt will be paid. But the nefarious drug dealer…and drug addict seems to have no plan at paying him back for anything.

What We Think: A pretty good crime drama. I’m a little unsure what my expectations were but they were somewhat met if what I wanted was a story that is full of characters that are unlikeable. It accomplishes this. Outside of Marcello I basically hate everyone else in this. It’s a decently directed flick. One that doesn’t reinvent anything and has enough behind it to make it’s more intense moments stick. That’s important given the direction this goes. Marcello Fonte is really good and leads this with some gusto. He’s the catalyst that makes the whole thing go. I think that Pesce is worthwhile as well in his role.

Our Grade: C+, Where this succeeds is in its ability to get us behind Marcello to buy into him as a weakling. Only to turn that right on its head, so to speak. This is one to look for whenever it becomes available to you. Which should be right now on most VOD services and in a limited theatrical release. I recommend this one for sure. Even if it isn’t the best of 2019 it’s an enjoyable 103 minutes to be sure. If you don’t mind reading subtitles as the film is in Italian. Though at this point if subs aren’t your thing what are you doing here?