In Dampier, an isolated town deep in the Pilbara, a free-wheeling kelpie known as Red Dog lies close to death. As the townsfolk keep vigil by his bedside, they tell newcomer Tom (Luke Ford) tales of the dog’s many exploits.
This is the unadorned premise of Red Dog, a charming, nostalgic and comical waltz through a forgotten Australia where men were men, beer was beer, shorts were short, and a single flatulent dog had the capacity to unite an entire community. Recounting the lives, loves and general mishaps of the Dampier townfolk, Red Dog is a film that revels in its simplicity, an utterly endearing exercise in humour without guile and sentiment without excess.
Adapted from the Louis de Berniere novella – which was itself adapted from Dampier folklore – Red Dog is a heartfelt salute to an Australia as it once was and our cinema as it used to be. –MIFF
The only good thing about this film is the dog...everything else sucks big time...I fall sleep half way through the boring film.
The dog is a legend but unfortunately this film is every cliche you've seen before. It's got energy but lacks bite. The flashback structure is also excruciating as is the tacked on upbeat ending. 2 stars
Coming soon: Zulawski’s first complete retrospective in the US. Film Comment selects 32 films. Berlinale lineup? Now complete.
