Dogfight

I will not spend time going over the story line for this film which has already been covered by previous reviews - what i will say is that it is - in the end - a tender love story that truly conveys something very simple but universally true - how we all want to be loved and how just how fortunate we should feel if we find that truly special connection with another human being - even if it is for just an evening - and even if it is with someone you never would have imagined you would be interested in let alone attracted to. I wouldn't say that I had any opinion of River Phoenix before seeing this film - however seeing this actor so flawlessly and subtly present the viewer with this initally unlikable character (albeit very handsome character) and peel away layer by layer the actual decent person who was beneath the bravado is a testament to his raw talent - you should remember after you finish watching this remarkable film that he was only 21 at the time of doing this role - when you actually see the tiny touches and emotion that he manages to convey it's quite breathtaking - and something that other 'actors' can't achieve even after an entire acting career. As for Lily Taylor - she also oozes raw talent and she is so alive before the camera. She plays a character that is not an easy one to pull off - but at the end of the film you admire the character of Rose tremendously - she really does bloom by the end of the film - but without having changed anything about herself - more by revealing in more entirety the essence of her character - which is truly beautiful. What director Nancy Savoca has achieved with this film is so commendable - she notes in her directors commentary that the crew and actors affectionately referred to this film during filming as a 'little film' - even though they knew it was anything but - and I totally agree....................90 minutes of your life that is well spent.

Good movie

This movie is a rare, unspoken about jem. I do not know why more people do not know about River Phoenix's best movie ever. Director Nancy Savoca is on her most amazing game here. I mean, granted, she had the legendary acting that only River Phoenix could deliver- hell, if he were still alive today, there would be no Brad Pitt or Leo- I mean, River was the most genius and gifted actor of our time (gen X) . Written by Bob Comfort- the story of a bunch of marines during Vietnam era coming into town for the night and making a bet about who could bring the ugliest girl to a party- but not telling the girls why they were asked- is sickening, humiliating and uncomfortable- but the way it was shot and directed- amazing! And what happens after that is magic....Lili Taylor is amazing in her role as Rose. Very convincing. I love how the director Nancy Savoca lets the camera linger on River's facial expressions during a lot of the movie- I love the sophisticated charm and wit of this movie. I still quote lines from it with my sister. It is one of those movies that you just cannot forget. Or erase out of your mind, even though when it first came out I think I was like 16 years old and now I am 40. I watched it a million times. River died about five years after this movie was made...seriously poignant, deep, rich, moving and an ending that is nothing short of genius. Def one of my top 10 movies of all time. Man, I miss River Phoenix. There was no one like him.

Dogfight is a light comedy mixed with mild drama and heavy emotions. River Phoenix is the epitome of a male chauvenist pig throughout the duration of this movie. Even though he seems to develop feelings for the girl, he still somewhat keeps his chauvanistic ways, which makes the character believable. Lili Taylor embodies her character as an introvert and sweet girl. Although she has the soft and quiet voice, she has no trouble voicing her feelings and telling River exactly what she means. The wonderful part about this is that Lili, although considered chubby in the movie, doesn't lack her self-esteem and won't settle for treatment less than what she deserves. In all, this is a movie that can bring out all emotions and opinions, and definately one that you do not want to miss.

Nothing too dislike

The media could not be loaded.  This movie is a classic.. Both actors River Phoenix who will be remembered for his talent and Lili Tyler is amazing.. Beautiful chemistry in this scene makes me cry.. Rip to River... Beautiful performance

The premise sounds so cruel....a group of Marines each try to find the ugliest girl as a date for the dance, aka,"dogfight", and the one who's date is voted the ugliest (unbeknownst to the girls) wins the $50 prize money.The story is about the two main characters, Eddie and his ugly date---Rose, on the last night before he and his buddies ship out to Viet Nam. I don't know how they were able to make this movie so touching, so human and so funny when the subject matter, on the surface, is so offensive. The scenes with Eddie's three best buddies are filled with youthful male humor---vulgar, crude and immature--- yet it rings so true and really is just plain hilarious. You love these guys. They don't know where they're going when they ship out, but they're together and nothing else matters. And the friendship that develops between Eddie and Rose also rings completely true.I like the way the "ugly" girl turns out to be so witty and interesting and how the cute guy, over the course of the night, is so affected by her. The whole movie is just a wonderful surprise. From beginning to end. I still laugh whenever I think of one of the guys looking for ugly girls at the bus station and finding Miss Two Bears. This movie doesn't hit you over the head with anything and that's one of the best things about it...it unfolds gently, with humor and grace.

Prompt delivery

Très bon film avec River Phoenix et livraison dans les temps.

吹き替えも日本語の字幕もありません。まったく英語も分かりませんが大好きな作品で何10回と観ているのでセリフは頭に入ってます！と、言う方にお薦めです。字幕がない分、映像をしっかり観ることが出来、今まで何10回と観ていたと言うのにリバー・フェニックスの細かい表情など新たな発見があったりして。私の宝物です。

Gosh how I love this movie..Never watched it when it came out and only discovered this gem recently.Love this! Such tender and wonderful acting from both casts.River shines here as he portrays vulnerability and humanity.He was amazing at capturing the essence of a character.Great! Quick delivery and packaged well in great condition.

Dies ist eine etwas andere Liebesgeschichte, aber genau das macht den Film so sehenswert!Alles beginnt mit einer Wette. Ein paar Jungs treffen sich 1963 in einer Kneipe und wollen sich noch einmal so richtig austoben, bevor sie am Tag danach nach Vietnam gehen müssen. Ziel der Wette ist es, das hässlichste Mädchen mitzubringen. River Phoenix brilliert in der Rolle des Eddie Birdlace, der die unscheinbar Rose (Lili Taylor) mitbringt. Während sich die Jungs über ihre "hässlichen" Eroberungen lustig machen, durchschaut Rose das Spiel und geht zutiefst gekränkt nach Hause, nicht ohne vorher Eddie noch die Meinung zu sagen. Dieser bemerkt, dass Rose ihm doch nicht so unwichtig ist und folgt ihr, woraufhin sie eine gemeinsame Nacht miteinander verbringen. Tags darauf zieht Eddie mit seinen Kumpanen nach Vietnam....Eine wirklich wunderschöne Liebesgeschichte über ein ungleiches Paar. Die Geschichte wurde sehr gut umgesetzt und die Schauspieler sind wundervoll - fühlt man doch so richtig mit der armen Rose mit, der so übelst mitgespielt wurde nur weil sie nicht so hübsch aussieht wie andere Mädchen. Schön ist auch die Wandlung die Eddie durchmacht, als er feststellt, dass Schönheit nicht alles ist, und er einfach mit Rose zuammensein möchte weil sie ihn zum Lachen und Nachdenken bringt. Er mag sie um ihret Willen, nicht wegen des Aussehens.River Phoenix spielt die Rolle so gut, dass man total gefesselt vor dem Bilschirm sitzt und die Zwiespältigkeit in ihm fast fühlen kann.Mich persönlich hat der Film sehr überrascht, hatte ich ihn mir doch ein wenig langweilig vorgestellt. Umso begeisterter war ich - ein klasse Liebesfilm wo vielleicht die ein oder andere Träne fliesen könnte....Das einzig negative ist, dass es absolut kein Bonusmaterial auf der DVD gibt. Überhaupt nicht verständlich für mich - gerade weil man über River Phoenix nie mehr etwas Neues sehen wird wäre es doch nicht zu viel verlangt wenigstens vorhandenes Material auf die DVD zu packen. Leider ist das hier nicht der Fall.Trotzdem 5 Sterne von mir, schließlich kann der Film nichts für das fehlende Bonusmaterial.Fazit: Schöner Film für Kuschelabende, aber auch zum Nachdenken!