US filmmaker Todd Solondz’s (Happiness, Welcome to the Dollhouse, Palindromes) eighth feature is this edgy portmanteau comedy, which recently screened to great acclaim at Sundance and features an illustrious cast including Greta Gerwig, Ellen Burstyn, Kieran Culkin, Julie Delpy, Danny DeVito and Zosia Mamet.
It’s essentially a series of short films, the stories of which centre around a wiener dog (or dachshund) as he travels the country and between various owners.
It sounds a sweet and simple enough premise – but this is Solondz, a profoundly perceptive, acerbic and cerebral filmmaker, and the result is a caustic and very disturbing satire – while also mordantly hilarious. Brilliantly performed and beautifully shot (by Carol cinematographer Ed Lacman), it’s a treat to watch.
“An adorable mutt is at the heart of Todd Solondz’s deeply disturbing portmanteau comedy […] proves the film-maker, at 56 years old, has lost none of his bite” **** Nigel M. Smith, Guardian