DOGMAN (2018)

Starring Marcello Fonte, Edoardo Pesce, Nunzia Schiano 

Directed by Matteo Garrone

Screenplay by Ugo Chiti, Matteo Garone, Massimo Gaudioso

Distributed by Magnolia. 103 minutes. Not Rated.

It’s right there in the title, begging for the audience to ask the question: are humans really separate from our animal ancestry? Dogman explores what it means to be a human and animal all at the same time, whether those are obedient or wild and untamed. This Italian drama, which was nominated for the Palm d’Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, is a dark tale that explores the very nature of morality when a person reaches their breaking point.

Marcello (Marcello Fonte) is a meek and mousy dog groomer, whose own frail figure resembles that of a timid chihuahua. Marcello’s gentle soul allows him to form connections with dogs of all kinds, as well as with the other men of stature in town, including the brutish Simoncino (Edoardo Pesce), whose violent outbursts have made the town turn on him. It’s Simoncino who coaxes Marcello into unlawful events, whether it’s driving him to burglaries or having him peddle snuff which Marcello does. Things ultimately lead to new heights when Simoncino involves Marcello in a planned burglary against a fellow local, to which Marcello faces his breaking point: will he stay a trained, obedient dog? Or will he go rabid?

Dogman is an altogether gripping watch, composed of darkly lit shots of a town that has a small radius for the film, figuratively resembling Marcello’s bleak life there. If there’s a lack of geographic locations, Dogman covers a lot of ethical, moral space for audiences to think about. Marcello’s performance as the character of the same name is transfixing, his oversized and gummy smile showing his empathy and kindness, and his love for his daughter and dogs shows the purity of his soul – that is, until the stakes are at their highest and he faces more violent ambitions (he received the award for Best Actor at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival). If you’re looking for a dark, gritty dose of Italian cinema that will make you re-look at humans and animals alike, Dogman is the movie for you.

Now playing at the Landmark Nuart.