'Dogfight'
Dogfight is one of my absolute all time favourites there is just something about it that's real special. I believe this is one of River Phoenix's later films and also believe to be one of his top performances he plays opposite of his real personality, with such vulgar language and angst but yet so real. Lili Taylor also plays opposite Phoenix and as per usual is amazing.
Plot: SPOILER
The films plot is mostly set around a two day period and then flash forward to the future. Taylor plays a young naive girl 'Rose' who works in her mothers diner she's anxious timid and often plays on her guitar. Phoenix plays 'Eddie' a foul mouthed marine who comes to shore for a a night with his marine buddies who also are vulgar and crude. They all place bets on who can find the ugliest girl and bring them to a bar they rented out who ever has the ugliest girl wins the prize of every ones money and its called the 'Dogfight'. Eddie approaches Rose and sweet talks her in her mothers diner and manages to win her over. He forces her to drink more than she usually would and is very rude towards her. When she goes to the bathroom she is approached by a women who explains to her what its all about. Rose is appalled and slaps Eddie and runs home. Eddie writes her a note and places it on her window seal and they go out later in the night he apologises and they fall in love so to speak and spend the night together and learn about each others past and personality. The next day Eddie leaves for Vietnam and returns years later to see Rose as pretty as ever a with little transformation in her appearance.
Why I love the film
Costume: The film is set in mid/late 60's and the costume is not over the top which suits other films like Wes Anderson but for the theme of this movie has been done just right , each character isn't extremely glammed up but all have faces with such character from the women who won the 'Dogfight' to Rose and Eddie themselves.
Moral: I think the Moral of the story is pretty hard hitting and the story is unlike any other I have seen in a romantic movie, its such an eccentric film and shows how quickly two opposites can fall in love while appreciating one anothers flaws.
Just right: I think now days a lot of films over do it on the costume, the glam and forget the importance of the movie plot but this film doesn't. Lili Taylor looks like a normal girl and when Eddie returns for Rose she isn't extremely been glammed up and super beautiful but simply looks the same with a few changes which I think is really important towards the message of the movie that looks aren't everything and shouldn't be and you shouldn't change for anyone.
