With a new Criterion edition of 'Dogfight' and a 4K restoration of 'Household Saints,' one of the most promising indie voices of the '90s finally takes a bow.
I remember really liking TRUE LOVE when I saw it on video back in the early '90s (?), and appreciating DOGFIGHT, and being excited for whatever Savoca did next. I look forward to rewatching both of them soon, because it's been 30+ years.
Then I missed HOUSEHOLD SAINTS and, well, there you go.
Got to see HOUSEHOLD SAINTS in a theater a couple of months ago, and while I don't think it fully comes together, it has one of the best portrayals I've ever seen of one fundamental mystery of parenthood: Raising a kid who is both inarguably like you and part of your family but also completely themselves, in ways that might even baffle or dismay you. (Feels like something that would be adapted into a prestige miniseries today, for good or ill.)
Now that I think of it, I'm almost positive that it was her connection to Demme that had me seeking out TRUE LOVE, in particular. He's been a guiding influence on my cinematic interests for that long.
I haven't seen TRUE LOVE, not sure I've even heard of it before, even though I saw both DOGFIGHT and HOUSEHOLD SAINTS when they made their way to the indy video rental store in Atlanta that was a frequent haunt of mine. I was too young to really appreciate either of them though, and I don't think I've seen either since -- you make a good case for seeing all three!
I remember seeing Dogfight when it first released on video because a girlfriend wanted to watch anything and everything with River Phoenix. I remember being struck by how good it was. Haven’t seen it since. Glad it’s getting a criterion release that always ups a profile and this movie deserves it. I’m interested to follow up on Savoca’s other films they sound interesting too
I watched Dogfight a while back after seeing Dinner In America, for which the former was a clear inspiration. While I thought the two leads were good together, I thought the movie ended just as it was getting interesting, and it therefore felt like a 90 minute first act.
But you've prompted me to check out her other stuff now.
I remember really liking TRUE LOVE when I saw it on video back in the early '90s (?), and appreciating DOGFIGHT, and being excited for whatever Savoca did next. I look forward to rewatching both of them soon, because it's been 30+ years.
Then I missed HOUSEHOLD SAINTS and, well, there you go.
Got to see HOUSEHOLD SAINTS in a theater a couple of months ago, and while I don't think it fully comes together, it has one of the best portrayals I've ever seen of one fundamental mystery of parenthood: Raising a kid who is both inarguably like you and part of your family but also completely themselves, in ways that might even baffle or dismay you. (Feels like something that would be adapted into a prestige miniseries today, for good or ill.)
Now that I think of it, I'm almost positive that it was her connection to Demme that had me seeking out TRUE LOVE, in particular. He's been a guiding influence on my cinematic interests for that long.
I haven't seen TRUE LOVE, not sure I've even heard of it before, even though I saw both DOGFIGHT and HOUSEHOLD SAINTS when they made their way to the indy video rental store in Atlanta that was a frequent haunt of mine. I was too young to really appreciate either of them though, and I don't think I've seen either since -- you make a good case for seeing all three!
I remember seeing Dogfight when it first released on video because a girlfriend wanted to watch anything and everything with River Phoenix. I remember being struck by how good it was. Haven’t seen it since. Glad it’s getting a criterion release that always ups a profile and this movie deserves it. I’m interested to follow up on Savoca’s other films they sound interesting too
I watched Dogfight a while back after seeing Dinner In America, for which the former was a clear inspiration. While I thought the two leads were good together, I thought the movie ended just as it was getting interesting, and it therefore felt like a 90 minute first act.
But you've prompted me to check out her other stuff now.