By John E. Carey
February 10, 2007O.K., it is the weekend and time to have a little fun. And besides, some of our readers sent email asking when we would reflect upon another major motion picture in our “Leadership Ideas From the Movies Series.”
The movie is “Dawg” with Denis Leary and Elizabeth Hurley.Most guys could watch Elizabeth Hurley knit and be entertained if not aroused. And she is great in this.
In “Dawg” Leary plays ladies’ man who must apologize to the women he has betrayed before he can inherit $1 million from his grandmother.Hurley plays the woman attorney who supervises the project.
Actually, Gradma’s will calls this a “mission.”
And, because Leary’s character has had many, let us say, “liaisons,” the project is a big one. Part of the sales pitch for the DVD to this film says, “Doug (Denis Leary) is a dog trapped in a man’s body.”This movie starts with a six or eight year old Doug telling a young girl of his own age that he must kiss him for five seconds to get into a game. After the kiss, he welches on the deal.
Nice guy!
Flash forward forty years or so and Dawg Doug gets fired for boffing the boss’ wife.
When he goes to a tavern to drown his sorrows, he takes one of the female patrons home.
When Doug makes it to Granny’s funeral he arrives an hour too late. This man has no respect for any women.
At the post funeral reception, Doug describes some new-found sexual position to a young woman who turns out to be his cousin.
Nice guy, indeed!
Then the fun begins: Hurley arrives to save the movie and Doug’s soul. The movie, we discover, is really about redemption, not temptation!
Watching how the two sexes pack their clothes, leave their homes, drive and do other ordinary tasks is ably captured by the movie makers. We noted that Stephen J. Cannell is one of the producers for this one; but the lion’s share of the credit should go to writer Ken Hastings who only has one other film to his credit (a film called “Olive Juice”).
Doug’s license plate reads “Go Dawg.” He’s actually proud of his conquests. He has pictures!
When Dawg goes to seek forgiveness from his drum playing Caribbean nymph and she shows him the hammock: you can see how difficult this mission is for Doug.
Some women may be offended by this film but most men will laugh their way through recalling their own stupidity (or wishing they had found the same amount of fun Doug apparently discovered).
And for the women: the leadership in this film mostly comes from other women. As is often the case, the women save the men from themselves.
Rent, buy or find “Dawg” on cable. You’ll be glad you did!
