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Dakota Fanning’s dance with the ‘devil music’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What has happened to Georgia’s little girl?
Former Conyers resident Dakota Fanning (she turned 14 this year) used to star in big-screen versions of children’s classics (like “Charlotte’s Web”) or feel-good horse movies (like “Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story”).
Sept. 19 will now bring the debut in metro Atlanta and a few other markets of her latest and quite controversial drama “Hounddog,” in which the young actress’ character, a precocious Southern girl and Elvis Presley fanatic, is raped.
The film’s distributor — Empire Film Group — is expecting a rating of PG-13, which underscores the fact that the bulk of the sexual assault is suggested and not actually shown.
“Hounddog” was completed when Fanning was 12 and debuted at Sundance in 2007. Several critics immediately pounced on the film.
Salon.com’s Andrew O’Hehir wrote bluntly, “I’m astonished that anyone would try to pass this movie off as artistically or socially meaningful.” Variety’s Todd McCarthy called it “an indigestible gumbo of Southern Gothic ingredients seasoned with snake oil, biblical hash and thoroughly unpalatable spice.”
Set in the 1950s, the film is steeped in the poor, rural commonalities of torn wallpaper, ratty hair, crickets, cicadas and rain pounding on a tin roof.
Fanning sings parts of several songs, including “Hound Dog,” “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
Her co-stars comprise a list of formidable names, including multiple Oscar nominee Piper Laurie as her grandmother (she spouts lines like “Stop that devil music!”), David Morse as her father (his character is struck by lightning and, in at least one later scene, staggers around in the nude), and Atlanta actor Afemo Omilami as her protector (his advice: “There’s more to fill up that emptiness than Elvis.”).
One bit of caution: the film is replete with snakes. They crawl all over Fanning, symbolizing her character’s choked spirit.
Will you go see “Hounddog”?
Permalink | Comments (24) | Post your comment | Categories: Bob Longino
Comments
By Nina
August 19, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
What about the young lady who played a rape victim in Time To Kill? Why were they not critical of that? She played an 11yr old victim.
By Molly
August 19, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
The HORROR… good thing that rapes only happen in the movies. We should really focus our outrage there, rather than on the rapists.
This is stupid.
By Abe
August 19, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Nina, just say what you mean!
Nobody is critical of the 11yr. old in A Time To Kill because she was black.
It’s always about color for some people.
By Chaz
August 19, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
Hollywood indicts flyover country… once again. We’re all rubes, hicks and subhumans to them. The funny thing is, have you been to California lately? It ain’t pretty. (shudder)
By Hellinahandbasket
August 19, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Unfortunately there will be those that go to see the movie specifically because of the scene where a little girl is raped rather than the movie as a whole. And considering the reviews & opinions of those that have actually seen the movie I don’t see why anyone would waste their money or time. And if you are one that goes just to see the rape scene out of curiosity (or whatever) then you need help.
By Wilfred
August 19, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
Abe, it’s time for your meds. Just take them go back to your room. I will push your lunch under your door.
By julie
August 19, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
Well, I would have seen it but….snakes? Now no way!!
By JOHN
August 19, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
Sounds like the “DEvil and Miss Jones” circa 1970’s
By JOHN
August 19, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
Sounds like the “Devil and Miss Jones” circa 1970’s
By Red
August 19, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
Abe I read Nina’s comment and didn’t even think of race until i saw your comment…honestly it’s the only other movie I can think of when a young child is raped. If anyone is thinking of race it must be you.
By Fred
August 19, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Wow, it took THREE comments before that tired, over-used race card was played? Atlanta must be slipping.
By Cynic
August 19, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
Salient post, Molly.
By mta56
August 20, 2008 4:46 AM | Link to this
As always I will wait for it to come out on dvd rather than paying the high pricies of a movie theater. To me, only about 2 out of every 10 movies released are even worth seeing. The rest are boring & un-entertaining.
By JJ
August 20, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
i’ve been waiting 2 years to c this movie and i think all the people who are against it are a bit over reacting. Seriously wat about b******* out of carolina… or all those lifetime movies? nothing’s different they’re just having a hard time realizing that dakota fanning is actually growin up
By BA
August 20, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
JJ, for you to think that a 12yr old is grown up is mind-boggling. A 12 year old is not grown.
By defan
August 20, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
The Salon and Variety reviews apply to the Sundance version, which was a rough cut. Hounddog was re-edited by a new editor hired after Sundance. Let’s hear from someone who’s actually seen the new film!
By Alex
August 20, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
People are only upset because Dakota Fanning is a cute little American Sweetheart type. She’s pretty with blonde hair and blue eyes, how could anyone think of casting her in a role not written with Shirley Temple in mind? She’s an actress. She plays characters, and not all of those characters are cherubs with perfect lives. Get over yourself.
By saoirse
August 25, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Exactaly Alex! I couldn’t have said it better myself! People see dakota as a cute 6 year old from I am sam. Shes not a kidd anymore and she’s doing grown up movies! People have to accept that she’s growing up and she wont be in the kids movies any more! They’re mad about the movie cos they know she’s growing up and she wont be the little kid they all want her to be! Get over yourselves people and give dakota they credit she deserves! If they so baddly need a blonde child actresses look at elle fanning, dakotas little sis! She’s just as good as dakota and has yet to be discovered! Let dakota grow up!
By Steven Mark Pilling
August 25, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
Dear Bob: According to Empire’s distribution chief, the sex scenes from “Hounddog” have either been deleted or “moderated” in this newest version. Sure. It should be remembered, though, that the means of its making (with children!) were R to X rated. They can’t edit that! And remember, there were any number of scenes (beyond the infamous child rape) that featured children in dishabille, in sexual situations and in others where the depraved intentions were obvious. In fact, the whole basis of the plot was that of child sex and adult degeneracy. You can’t do much to edit that out, either; not without turning it into a hodgepodge of unrelated scenes. It was already bad enough in that regard in its original form.
By Steven Mark Pilling
September 7, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Dear Bob: Here’s an item of note. The major theater chains that were scheduled to screen “Hounddog” this September 19th have opted out. The only possible outlets now would likely be small independents and “art film” theaters. It appears that the movie will essentially follow the direct-to-DVD route. The distributor cites the opposition of “vocal groups” as the reason for the cancellation. I guess the memories of Sundance 2007 were fresher in the minds of many people than Hollywood counted on. For more details, access my column “Hounddog Withdrawn!” at www.xanga.com/STEVENPILL.
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