Dogman
2018 · Directed by Matteo Garrone
Original language: Italian
- crime
- drama
- thriller
The story
Marcello, a small and gentle dog groomer, finds himself involved in a dangerous relationship of subjugation with Simone, a former violent boxer who terrorizes the entire neighborhood. In an effort to reaffirm his dignity, Marcello will submit to an unexpected act of vengeance.
What it’s like
Sun-bleached and grubby, with a dusty seaside suburb of concrete blocks, scrap-strewn lots and hazy afternoon light that never quite warms. The camera stays close and unhurried on its small, stooped protagonist, often framed tight in cramped rooms like the dog-grooming salon, where pastel tubs and the sharp smell of shampoo sit against the crumbling outside world. Sounds are sparse: wind, distant traffic, the yelp of dogs, a restrained, mournful score that surfaces only at the edges. The mood is a tender, anxious melancholy with flashes of sudden dread. The pacing is measured, then jolts into abrupt, ugly violence, including a brutal finale, and there is cocaine use, animal cruelty, and a cage-and-chain menace that makes it unsettling viewing. It is not gentle. For people who want a bleak, character-driven Italian crime drama with real emotional weight and a hard edge, rather than a soft or reassuring watch.
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