How To kill Your Neighbours Dog. 2006.
Starring Kenneth Branagh, Robin Wright Penn, Lynne Redgrave, and a young girl who's name doesn't make the Cover of the DVD, but is a darn fine little actress..
I picked this up in a "Poundland" shop, as it was cheap, I liked the title, and had recently saw KB being interviewed on UK TV ( Graham Nortons show, I think,) and he came across well as a decent sort.( I've also saw him in a few other roles, and he's usually a good actor...).
Anyway, Billed as a "Razor Witted comedy" on the box, I/we settled down to watch it.
The story is of a Playwright (Branagh), who is past his best work, but working on a new play to revive his career. He happens to be married to Robin Wright Penn, who is utterly obsessed with having a baby, Much to Branaghs distaste, as, as we sort of learn, he is NOT that fond of Children.
He also suffers from severe insomnia, and is kept awake even more by his neighbours dog ( hence the title...).
Into his life/street however, comes a single Mother with a ten year old Daughter, and he begins to see the child as some sort of "Inspiration" for the play he is working on, and starts to study her 10 years old way of seeing the world. ( At first, both we, the viewers, AND Kenneth Branagh think she is just a bit "Shy", but later on learn she suffers with Cerebral palsy).
He gradually builds up a relationship with the young girl, and they become friends.
Thrown into this mix is also a Stalker Fan that Branagh Has, Lynne Redgrave suffering from Alzheimers, and the GAYEST Male Stage director ( Is there really EVER any Other type....yawn...) that has ever been stereotyped beyond belief into existence.
It did indeed have some LOL moments, and I enjoyed watching it.
It was pretty well written and acted, and one particular scene where Branagh sounds off at the Young girls mother for "Holding back her childs dreams" was very well done indeed.
Special mention goes out also to the "Eye in the sky" lady in the helicopter, giving the weather forecast live on TV. She is just "Funny"
the "Product Placement" of cigarette-smoking throughout I found actually atrocious however, and I AM a HEAVY Smoker myself. it distracted me from the story too much at times, as I was trying to count how many KB actually smoked a day, instead of following the plot
.
I will NOT say if the title actually happens or not, as that is a sort of "Running Joke" throughout the movie, and I wouldn't like to give too much away as it is.
BUT....#SPOILER ALERT....# The End credits clear everything up.....keep watching....
This movie was well worth the watch at such a low price, and, IF you are a fan of Kenneth Branaghs films, THIS is one of his better movies ( despite the fact that I had never heard of it before..).
The musical score, however was a tad "Twee", and sort of intruded because of it....But it was EXACTLY the kind of music score that the producers would choose for This sort of film ....and also VERY heavy on the Petula Clark references, for some strange reason....
8/10 for the sake of being worth watching anyway, 9/10 for a Kenneth Branagh "Lightweight" movie.....back soon, just off to check the DVD credits as the Young actress playing the 10 year old deserves a name-Check here....As she is quite Awesome in this movie....
Amy( the young Girl) is played by Suzi Hofrichter.
"Eye in the sky" lady is played by Tamala Jones, and...I almost forgot..
....Kenneth Branaghs use of Swearing is absolutely Phenomenal in this movie!!!