Sleeping Dogs
For some reason Amy's mum couldn't stomach her secret
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Friday, 16, Mar 2007 12:46
Directed by Bob Goldthwait, out March 16th in cinemas, starring Melinda Page Hamilton, Bryce Johnson, running time 87 minutes.
In a nutshell.
Funny, touching, ridiculous rom-com
What's it all about?
Amy (Melinda Page Hamilton) is a sweet, attractive young woman with seemingly everything going for her: parents who adore her, a textbook gorgeous fiance and a job in which she's happy.
But when lover John (Bryce Johnson) challenges her to share her darkest secrets her life literally falls apart. And her darkest secret is literally disgusting (but not from the dog's point of view).
The start of the film may have you cringing in anticipation at how awful the film could be - but it's not. Despite the ridiculous premise of her dirty secret, what follows is a refreshing and humorous look at whether honesty really is the best policy or whether sleeping dogs should be left well alone.
Who's in it?
Expect no Hollywood big names here - the biggest star is Melinda Page Hamilton who once starred in three episodes of Desperate Housewives. Pretty, blonde and with distinct features, she may also be familiar due to brief appearances in Nip/Tuck, and CSI:NY. But you could be seeing more of her in the future as she deftly pulls off the lead role in this film.
Also coming from more of a television than a film background is the easy-on-the-eye Bryce Johnson. He may also be familiar from Nip/Tuck as well as Without A Trace. The fact that he once appeared as the 'library guy' in an episode of Dawson's Creek says everything about his clean-cut, frat boy looks. Definitely the eye candy of the film.
As an example.
Amy: "I only have bread and wine."
Ed: "What, have you been entertaining Jesus?"
Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars
Although hugely enjoyable, stylistically there is nothing impressive and award-wining about this film.
What the others say
"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." - Time Out
"Possesses a quick wit and an endearing tenderness toward Amy as honesty wrecks her life. It's sweet, doggone it." Rolling Stone
So is it any good?
Somehow, and this is fairly impressive given the nature of Amy's secret, Sleeping Dogs manages to be a sweet, impressive rom-com. As the film begins it would be fair to expect a fairly trite, slapstick comedy but instead it is touching and pretty damn clever. It'll have you thinking about relationships and honesty and, heaven forbid, of the skeletons in your own closest. The comedy is genuinely funny and surprising, prompting far more than just the odd snigger.
Performances are not outstanding, but each of the main actors imbues their character with warmth and is likeable despite their faults. It's unlikely that this will be a huge hit at cinemas - a lack of big names and the film's premise see to that - but those who do opt to see this may be very glad that they did so.
7/10
Carolyn Robertson