Rent Dogfight (1991)

Unpleasant Romantic Drama - Dogfight review by GI

This is bittersweet romance drama that has a slightly nasty edge to it based on the initial narrative set up. It's a misogynistic tale set in San Francisco in 1963 where a group of young Marines on their last night before being shipped off to Vietnam have a party where they each are tasked with bringing the ugliest girl for a wager. They think it's an hilarious game and four friends indulge readily including Eddie (River Pheonix) who manages to persuade a young coffee waitress, Rose (Lili Taylor) to be his date. Rose is a gentle, music loving girl who is hurt when she discovers the real reason Eddie invited her. Eddie realises he's been very cruel and that he has enjoyed Rose' company so he sets out to make things right with her. Eddie's motives here can be read in a variety of ways including that he has started to fall in love with Rose. Or indeed that he feels such remorse for his actions that he pursues her out of guilt. He certainly lies to his friends about who he has spent the evening with. I did not buy the falling in love theory. Whichever way you read the text here the film ultimately goes for a predictable ending, one where, again, you can read it in different ways. I certainly do not see that Eddie is redeemed after combat and the PTSD he suffers at the end by seeking out Rose who he agreed to write to but never did. In my mind he makes a cowardly choice. This film has its admirers and arguably has gained more because of Pheonix but I didn't enjoy it.