PLOT: Doing it doggy-style takes on a whole new meaning in director-writer Bobcat Goldthwait's surprisingly sweet if dark comedy about a so-called "normal" woman (Melinda Page Hamilton) with a twisted sexual secret.
From the outrageous comedian who once set The Tonight Show set on fire -- that would be Bobcat Goldthwait -- comes the sweetly funny and dark comedy, Sleeping Dogs Lie.
Goldthwait, who wrote and directed the low-budget film, appears fascinated about what makes a so-called "normal" person try a kinky sexual act and, more importantly, what the consequences might be for them down the road.
Appealing newcomer Melinda Page Hamilton -- maybe you remember her as twisted Sister Mary Bernard, the lustful, sexy nun who engaged in a hilarious catfight with Gabrielle (Eva Longoria) in Desperate Housewives last season? -- masterfully and comically takes on the lead role.
Hamilton plays Amy, an 18-year-old, all-American, blond college student whose boredom one night leads her to decide to "pleasure" her dog.
Just the one time.
"I'm not into beastiality anyway," she says during the movie's voiceover. "A part of me thinks it's funny."
Now for those with any hesitation here, the act of fellatio is implied and not explicitly shown -- and is hilarious.
Fast-forward eight years later, and Amy has given up her dog -- "it got too big," she explains -- and is an elementary school teacher happily engaged to Bob (Bryce Johnson).
Or so she thinks.
All bets are off when the couple visits her old-fashioned parents (Geoff Pierson, Bonita Friedericy) and demented brother (a scene-stealing Jack Plotnick), as they decide to share sexual secrets while they make out in the back seat of the family car, parked in the garage.
Bob is clearly horrified at the thought of his innocent-looking bride-to-be engaging in a sexual act with Fido.
"I think I'm going to throw up," is Bob's immediate reaction.
Meanwhile, Amy's brother Dougie -- a crack-smoking, toy-piano-playing depressive -- overhears the conversation. The story quickly makes its way through the family, with reactions ranging from shock to anger to amusement.
A large part of the movie's appeal is Page's ability to make both the entire story believable and her character entirely sympathetic, while Goldthwait muses on the price of absolute honesty with your mate.
Amazingly, Sleeping Dogs Lie was shot in just 16 days on a shoe-string budget and doesn't suffer any for it.
Goldthwait, in his third feature film as director (Shakes The Clown, Windy City Heat), should keep making movies if they're going to be this good.
BOTTOM LINE: The sweetly believable performance of newcomer Melinda Page Hamilton and a funny, sharp script by director Bobcat Goldthwait transcends this film's outrageous subject matter.
(This film is rated 14-A)
More Movie Reviews
