Product Details

• Actors: Dakota Fanning, Robin Wright-Penn, David Morse, Piper Laurie, Jill Scott
• Directors: Deborah Kampmeier
• Format: Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Empire Film Group / Hannover House
• DVD Release Date: October 6, 2009
• Run Time: 99 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002RCEKOQ
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,656 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Dakota Fanning gives an absolutely riveting performance... a triumph! --The Hollywood Reporter

Astonishing... a haunting Southern tale. --The New York Times

Powerful and memorable. --The Los Angeles Times

Product Description

A provocative Southern tale set in rural Alabama in the late 1950s, HOUNDDOG is the story of a spirited young girl, Lewellen (DAKOTA FANNING) and her struggle to rise above the repression that surrounds her. Lewellen lives with her stern grandmother, Grammie (PIPER LAURIE), but spends most of her time with her much adored Daddy (DAVID MORSE) in his dilapidated shack. Daddy s wild side is tempered by his beautiful but troubled girlfriend, Ellen (ROBIN WRIGHT-PENN) who has a mysterious history but a calming influence on the lonely, young girl. Lewellen is deeply talented and finds comfort and safety, as well as a place to put her hurt and rage, in the music of Elvis Presley. When Elvis comes to town for a concert, Lewellen is desperate to go but has no money for a ticket. In a naive attempt to get a ticket, Lewellen falls into a compromising position that steals her innocence and leaves her even more alone and helpless. It is up to the caretaker, Charles (AFEMO OMILANMI) to help Lewellen overcome the wounding of her spirit and save her soul. He teaches her to use The Blues to turn her tragedy into a gift... bringing light out of darkness and hope out of adversity.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

187 of 205 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Never mind the prudish critics, July 24, 2009

By 

johnny Rotten - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hounddog (DVD)

In case you are not aware, this film was slammed down really hard by the professional critics in general, earning something like %16 on rotten tomatoes (that's a really, really poor rating). The reason behind this immediate outrage against the film is quite obvious: we live in a society that is overly paranoid about childhood sexuality - the most taboo of all topics. This film isn't the least bit afraid to portray a 12 year old girl who is blooming sexually and exploring the power and creativity of (as well as learning the horrible dangers of) her sexuality. The fact that said girl is America's beloved, sweet Dakota Fanning only made the pill all the more bitter for the critics to swallow.

If you ask me, Fanning's character is amazingly realistic. Wake-up-call to the world: girls don't suddenly become sexual at 18! Of course a 12 year old can be curious, of course a 12 year old can be sexy. The fact that Dakota is walking around in her panties throughout most the film is realistic too, at least it would have been during that era in the poverty-stricken deep south, as are many other details in this movie, like the way the adults don't take issue with a 12-year-old taking a sip of beer or puffing a cig. And moreover, if you see a girl playing in her panties and it bothers you so much, I think it says more about your own sexual issues than the movie's.

The movie has a beautiful message about art through suffering. But it also has many other themes, among them childhood innocence and gender roles. I think even the harshest critic will agree that Dakota does an amazing job (she really just might be the greatest child actor of all time). Above all I enjoyed the film's beautiful cinematography & color palate - calm blues and soft browns and dusty yellows throughout. The night scenes with the fireflies are especially magical.

69 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart of a young girl, May 14, 2009

By 

Ankur Mukherjee - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hounddog (DVD)

To be honest, I was very amazed, shocked and surprised. I didn't have a lot of expectations from this film, but after a few glimpses, I realized its always good not to have any expectations at all, because when you get more than expected, you feel good. This film is one gem of a film. Its very rare you come across a strong and different film like this. Dakota is very daring, very matured young lady, she gives a very smart performence, I have really started to adore her. Her chemistry with her father (played by David Morse) in the film is excellent. The film will steal your breath and heart away. I now really see that 2008 definately has some really good films to offer, the rape scene I believe was quite natural, it was quite valid for the theme of the film. This film is excellent in every sence, not so often is a film with so much perfection knocks at your tv screen. Beautifull locations of the South, wonderfull performences make the film excellent. I consider myself to own the DVD. Definately worth a watch.

62 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dakota is BRILLIANT!, April 14, 2009

By 

The DVD Collector - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hounddog (DVD)

What a great movie! Dakota did a wonderful job in this role. I can't believe another reviewer gave this gem a 1 STAR rating because of the "insinuated" rape scene. I thought it was handled very well, as there was no actual touching on screen AT ALL. Geesh, the rape scene in "The Entity" was much more graphic than this lol! I'm sure rape was a common thing back in the 60's in the deep, rural south and went unreported most of the time. It adds stark realism to the story, and I'm glad the writer, director & producer Deborah Kampmeier (yes, a woman) didn't sterilize it into another typical Hollywood Movie Machine film that conforms to what a bunch of no-brainers want to be bored by. This is definitely one of my favorite films so far this year.