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STARS...
Don Johnson, Suzanne Benton, Jason
Robards Jr., Alvy Moore, and Charles McGraw.
PLOT SUMMARY...
In the future, following a global nuclear war, a young man and a
telepathic dog rely on each other for survival.
QUICK SCAN...
This film could be compared to "Def Con 4". A BOY AND
HIS DOG features action, comedy, and a little romance. A young Don Johnson
delivers a strong performance. Tim McIntire has fun as the voice of
a telepathic dog. Director of Photography, John Arthur Morrill, delivers
potent screen images of the devastated landscape.
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Review:
Writer/Director L.Q. Jones' A BOY AND HIS DOG, is a fascinating, frequently
funny, and ultimately disturbing look at life in America after a nuclear
war.
In the future, after a nuclear war, a young man named Albert (Don Johnson)
and his dog, Blood, (voice of Tim McIntire), roam the wasteland that
is now Phoenix, Arizona, looking for non-contaminated canned food and
healthy women. Blood, who is telepathic, can find both food and women
with his hyper-sensitive nose. He also has all the good lines. When
Johnson uses bad grammar, Blood offers, "One does not say 'ain't',
Albert. Simply say, 'I'm not kidding'." Later, when he is unable
to find a female for Johnson, Blood suggests, "I'd be delighted
to tell you a suggestive story, if you think it would help." As
voiced by Tim McIntire, (who also did the fun, folky/twangy Music for
the film), Blood is a grouchy, superior type who feels he may be getting
the short end of the stick in his partnership with Johnson.
The desolate, desert-like landscape that represents all that's left
of Phoenix, Arizona, which is buried under a thick layer of mud, is
well shot by Director of Photography, John Arthur Morrill. You can practically
taste the grit in your teeth.
When Johnson's desire for a female takes him underground, he encounters
a beautiful girl, played by Suzanne Benton ("That Cold Day in the
Park"). After some rigorous lovemaking, and despite Blood's persuasive
telepathic speeches, Johnson decides to go to the underground city of
Topeka, which exists nearby. In this strange city, Johnson encounters
graveyards, parks, churches, and a ruthless Committee which runs everything,
headed by Jason Robards ("All the President's Men"). The fact
that everybody wears "white face" and rouge around here adds
to the nightmare quality. Director Jones, working from his own Script,
based on the award-winning novella by Harlan Ellison, delivers a bizarre
yet somehow believable post-nuclear war underground community.
Robard's explains that Johnson's fling with the girl was all part of
the Committee plan to get him underground, as he has been chosen for
a special purpose. In Robard's words, "We've been underground for
too long; our women can't get pregnant." Alvy Moore (who also produced),
as another Committee member, chimes in, "We need a new man".
With the aid of Benton and some of her friends, Johnson manages to escape
back up to the surface. Accompanied by Benton, Johnson reunites with
Blood. The end of the film is both shocking and surprisingly logical.
Johnson ("Miami Vice"), in his early twenties at the time
of the film's release, delivers a strong, thoughtful performance. It's
interesting to see Johnson give such a mature performance, this early
in his career.
My favorite scene is when the dog, trying to educate Johnson, asks him
to recite the recent U.S. Presidents, in order. Johnson replies, "Truman,
Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Kennedy, Kennedy, Kennedy..."
A BOY AND HIS DOG should be watchable for most Sci-Fi fans. Those who
enjoy Global Disasters films should get a particular kick out of this
flick. See it with your favorite pet!
MovieMonday.com
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