Wiener-Dog

I have to make a confession in that the initial reason for seeing and reviewing "Wiener-Dog", is the fact that I own a dachshund, so I'm a bit partial. As with other powder dry, dark comedies, this is definitely up on that list as one of the most darkest of comedies--as much as the recent "The Lobster" is, and almost as strange.

A dachshund is taken in by a veterinary technician named Dawn Wiener (Greta Gerwig), who soon sets off on a road trip with an old acquaintance she once knew, Brandon (Kieran Culkin). The lovable dog, with many names depending on who has him, also encounters a young boy, Remi (Keaton Nigel Cooke), a depressed film professor, Dave Schmerz (Danny DeVito), a troubled, angry, bitter grandmother, Nana (Ellen Burstyn) and her spaced-out granddaughter, Zoe (Zosia Mamet). The character of Dawn Wiener first appeared in the 1995 coming-of-age film "Welcome to the Dollhouse" which was written and directed by Todd Solondz as this was as well. These different dysfunctional people's lives are impacted by this dachshund who brings love and companionship to their otherwise depressed and troubled lives.

Others to round out the cast are Julie Delpy as Dina, mom to Remi, Tracy Letts as Danny, dad to Remi, Connor Long as Tommy, brother to Brandon, Bridget Brown as April, sister to Brandon, Charlie Tahan as Warren, Rigoberto Garcia as Jose and Michael Shawn as Fantasy.

This was quirkily and oddly written and directed by Todd Solondz ("Fear, Anxiety & Depression" '89, "Welcome to the Dollhouse" '95, "Happiness" '98, "Storytelling" '01, "Palindromes" '04, "Life During Wartime" '09, "Dark Horse" '11) plus shorts. Although this filmmaker doesn't have a ton of experience considering he's been in the biz for 27 years, he does have a high quality of work. I believe the reason for this is because he's particularly choosy what he creates and for the fact that he doesn't cater to a mass audience appeal. The one film that comes to mind in similarity is the film "Harry & Tonto" '74. It's about an older gentleman, Harry (Art Carney) who takes his cat, Tonto on a road trip and meets many odd type people, Ellen Burstyn being one. It's the one film I can think of that clearly resembles this film-- it's a powder dry comedy, but because of the darkness of it, it also becomes dramatic as well as with this. Not to spoil it for you, but the ending is one that you don't see coming, so forewarned is forearmed. This is not written as what one would expect to see in a comedy, but rather it's executed in an odd, however original format-- this being the best thing I can say about it is its originality.

Certainly, I didn't get what I thought I would get out of the storyline, but to be fair and objective, it is well written and especially well directed. If you have a wiener dog, like me, this may or may not be your cup of tea, but if you can appreciate the artistry behind the storyline, one will fair well with this. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3                              Rated: R                                 90mins.