Intriguing, and more importantly, believable dialog is the hallmark of this underrated film. I only learned after seeing this on TV that the writer was the Scott Cain, son of Michael, who played the hip photographer who was the buddy of the awkward introspective main character Solo, played by Giovanni Ribisi.
The two, with their different personalities, still conveyed a genuine connection that was the sustaining thread of this pastiche of screwball comedy and character exploration. Solo is introduced having his last session with his shrink, depicted Don Cheadle.
He follows up on the Doc's suggestion to get a dog and then begins the interplay of goons, ultra rich heiress, more goons, threats, strippers....all amazingly entertaining.
And then there's the dog, credited in the film as "Jimmy the Dog" who plays his part with aplomb and deeply felt affection. His main function is to allow Solo and his romantic interest, Lola, to "meet cute" and form their own connection.
-a bit of spoiler here, beware- Now, we are back to the writer, Scott Cain. I suspect that as he was dong the final edit it hit him, " This is a friggen Disney movie. I can't let it end, you know, Happy. That will never do." So, by destroying what we came to expect, and deserve, a Hollywood ending, he betrayed the essence of the story.
So, this is my caveat to achieve my 9 stars. When Solo is in his new Hotel Room let's make our own ending. The hell with Scott's screenplay. Let that knock on the door be Lola with a heartfelt demand that they not throw away this chance for happiness, that they make a life, the three of them together.
And then flash back in your mind to every movie that left you feeling good in spite of those tears in your eyes. Then, by this minor collaboration, we have one great film.
The two, with their different personalities, still conveyed a genuine connection that was the sustaining thread of this pastiche of screwball comedy and character exploration. Solo is introduced having his last session with his shrink, depicted Don Cheadle.
He follows up on the Doc's suggestion to get a dog and then begins the interplay of goons, ultra rich heiress, more goons, threats, strippers....all amazingly entertaining.
And then there's the dog, credited in the film as "Jimmy the Dog" who plays his part with aplomb and deeply felt affection. His main function is to allow Solo and his romantic interest, Lola, to "meet cute" and form their own connection.
-a bit of spoiler here, beware- Now, we are back to the writer, Scott Cain. I suspect that as he was dong the final edit it hit him, " This is a friggen Disney movie. I can't let it end, you know, Happy. That will never do." So, by destroying what we came to expect, and deserve, a Hollywood ending, he betrayed the essence of the story.
So, this is my caveat to achieve my 9 stars. When Solo is in his new Hotel Room let's make our own ending. The hell with Scott's screenplay. Let that knock on the door be Lola with a heartfelt demand that they not throw away this chance for happiness, that they make a life, the three of them together.
And then flash back in your mind to every movie that left you feeling good in spite of those tears in your eyes. Then, by this minor collaboration, we have one great film.