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I've been eagerly awaiting this movie since I first heard about it: David Hewlett and Kate Hewlett playing siblings Patrick and Marilyn (now there's a wonder of casting!); Paul McGillion as her fiance Ryan--whom her brother automatically hates; brief appearances by Rachel Luttrell and Christopher Judge; and, of course, Mars the dog. David Hewlett wrote, directed, and starred; his real-life fiancee Jane Loughman co-wrote and produced it. The DVD, unfortunately, isn't coming out until September 21.
But then we heard that Amazon Unbox was selling it, and my husband had a gift certificate for Amazon Unbox. (I grew up with no cable, no vcr, and a single black-and-white tv in the house. Even after years of cable and vcr and now a couple of years of TiVo, I am still blown away that we can order a movie online and have it appear on TiVo for viewing that day.)
Short version: A Dog's Breakfast is hysterical. I laughed so hard in the first twenty minutes tears were leaking out of the corners of my eyes; I can't remember the last time that happened. It's rather sick fun, however; it's definitely black comedy. I went to IMDb to rate it, and the featured user comment recommended it for the whole family. The movie seems to be unrated. NOT for the kiddies, please; I won't want my six-year-old seeing it for a few years. Patrick has . . . anger management issues. Actually, Patrick has lots of issues (not that Marilyn and Ryan are completely normal, mind you). I recommend it highly for adults who like twisted humor.
For more on the movie: the movie website (David Hewlett's blog); be sure to see the trailer at the bottom of that first page.
Further comments: This movie is not for the faint of heart; it's hard to explain without giving away too much. Maybe it helps if I tell you I adore Wonderfalls and Slings and Arrows: all three have sick humor but some real heart. Patrick is a deeply damaged man who doesn't get out much, and while he doesn't get along with his sister, it's clear that no man is going to be good enough for her. Marilyn is a little daffy (and wears the oddest clothes at some points), and her fiance, space-soap star Ryan, puts up with quite a bit in the earlier scenes of the movie, but he also gives some out: the squeaky gym shoes; the scene where he makes breakfast wearing what must be Marilyn's very short, very feminine robe. The cast is screamingly funny.
My husband turned to me at one point and said, "Paul must really love David" to have done this movie. Ah, but Paul isn't the one with the nude scenes! My husband has done a lot of amateur acting (and a little semi-pro), and he says, "It's the actor's job to push it; it's the director's job to tell the actor when to rein it back in." Clearly, the director isn't going to tell the star to rein it in when he is the star (Paul McGillion is listed before David Hewlett, but David is in nearly every scene and clearly the center of the movie), and, let's face it, I can't imagine David Hewlett reining anybody in. Nor should he, in this film. If you don't like over the top, find a different movie.
At least once in the movie, I think twice (gee, I'll have to watch it again), Marilyn slaps her brother on the forehead (hard, it looks like). Correct me if I'm wrong, but when Kate played David's sister on Stargate: Atlantis, I believe she did exactly the same thing. I'm guessing this is a glimpse at real life with the Hewlett siblings. Looks painful.
I'm a Rodney and Carson fan with Atlantis; we get a really different dynamic between the two actors here (although Patrick is somewhat like Rodney, but far more addled and considerably less brilliant); it's still wonderful to watch the two play off each other. And Kate Hewlett--I'm looking forward to seeing more of her.
Please, Mr. Hewlett, write some more movies!
But then we heard that Amazon Unbox was selling it, and my husband had a gift certificate for Amazon Unbox. (I grew up with no cable, no vcr, and a single black-and-white tv in the house. Even after years of cable and vcr and now a couple of years of TiVo, I am still blown away that we can order a movie online and have it appear on TiVo for viewing that day.)
Short version: A Dog's Breakfast is hysterical. I laughed so hard in the first twenty minutes tears were leaking out of the corners of my eyes; I can't remember the last time that happened. It's rather sick fun, however; it's definitely black comedy. I went to IMDb to rate it, and the featured user comment recommended it for the whole family. The movie seems to be unrated. NOT for the kiddies, please; I won't want my six-year-old seeing it for a few years. Patrick has . . . anger management issues. Actually, Patrick has lots of issues (not that Marilyn and Ryan are completely normal, mind you). I recommend it highly for adults who like twisted humor.
For more on the movie: the movie website (David Hewlett's blog); be sure to see the trailer at the bottom of that first page.
Further comments: This movie is not for the faint of heart; it's hard to explain without giving away too much. Maybe it helps if I tell you I adore Wonderfalls and Slings and Arrows: all three have sick humor but some real heart. Patrick is a deeply damaged man who doesn't get out much, and while he doesn't get along with his sister, it's clear that no man is going to be good enough for her. Marilyn is a little daffy (and wears the oddest clothes at some points), and her fiance, space-soap star Ryan, puts up with quite a bit in the earlier scenes of the movie, but he also gives some out: the squeaky gym shoes; the scene where he makes breakfast wearing what must be Marilyn's very short, very feminine robe. The cast is screamingly funny.
My husband turned to me at one point and said, "Paul must really love David" to have done this movie. Ah, but Paul isn't the one with the nude scenes! My husband has done a lot of amateur acting (and a little semi-pro), and he says, "It's the actor's job to push it; it's the director's job to tell the actor when to rein it back in." Clearly, the director isn't going to tell the star to rein it in when he is the star (Paul McGillion is listed before David Hewlett, but David is in nearly every scene and clearly the center of the movie), and, let's face it, I can't imagine David Hewlett reining anybody in. Nor should he, in this film. If you don't like over the top, find a different movie.
At least once in the movie, I think twice (gee, I'll have to watch it again), Marilyn slaps her brother on the forehead (hard, it looks like). Correct me if I'm wrong, but when Kate played David's sister on Stargate: Atlantis, I believe she did exactly the same thing. I'm guessing this is a glimpse at real life with the Hewlett siblings. Looks painful.
I'm a Rodney and Carson fan with Atlantis; we get a really different dynamic between the two actors here (although Patrick is somewhat like Rodney, but far more addled and considerably less brilliant); it's still wonderful to watch the two play off each other. And Kate Hewlett--I'm looking forward to seeing more of her.
Please, Mr. Hewlett, write some more movies!