Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases


Sleeping Dogs (2006)

Director: Bobcat Goldthwait

Average user rating
No reviews

Synopsis

Amy’s life is turned upside down when she tells her fiancé her darkest secret.

Movie review

From Time Out London

You’d expect a rom-com written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait – the crude ‘National Lampoon’-style character of ‘Police Academy 2, 3 & 4’ fame – to be avoided at all costs. But you’d be so very wrong. Playing on the mostly unchartered subject of personal secrets, ‘Sleeping Dogs’ turns out to be one of the most controlled and sensitive romantic comedies in ages. There’s something Bridget Jones-y about Melinda Page Hamilton’s pretty teacher, Amy. Unlike Bridget, though, she doesn’t have any hang-ups about her weight or looks. Rather, it’s the beastly – indeed gross –  secret she’s been harbouring since her eighteenth year, when she found herself home alone with only her dog Rufus for company; the premise here being that some secrets are best kept undivulged. And Amy surely wishes she’d stuck to that maxim when, during a romantic interlude, her fiancé John (Bryce Johnson) jokingly asks her whether she had any secrets she hadn’t told anyone about. She initally holds back but, when they both pay an embarrassing visit to her parents, hers and several more skeletons are unearthed, resulting in Amy’s life turning turtle.

Goldthwait cleverly leaves the vulgarities to the imagination and instead concentrates on the bizarre but engaging character-driven storyline. The result is a warm, mature, thought-provoking film that is, at times, surreal, often hilarious and ultimately very touching. Nice one, Bobcat.

Author: Derek Adams

Time Out London Issue 1908: March 14-20 2007


What do you think?
Post your review now

clear rating
Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.

*mandatory fields




Most popular on this site


Top Stories

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?

The 10 worst date movies

The 10 worst date movies

Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas

10 unlikely badboy biopics

10 unlikely badboy biopics

Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing