The Dogwalker (2002) User Reviews

great indie flick

[jbarker71 · 12 January 2004]

I saw this at the Santa Fe Film Festival while volunteering, and I'm really glad I stayed and watched it! I really like the idea of dark, tarnished characters and Diane Gaidry's portrayal of a women trying to leave her past behind and start fresh was very compelling. She does find redemption in a very non-trivial way

Now that it's coming to theaters.

[amandasweikow · 10/10 · 21 August 2006]

This is an amazing and touching film. You don't even have to be a dog lover to enjoy it! Although the title may lead you to think that it's merely a film about dogs, it's about so much more. This film explores an array of important issues such as cancer and domestic abuse powerfully, but without being preachy or heavy handed.

Jacques Thelemaque writes and directs with honesty and grace, and the performances by Diane Gaidry and Pamela Gordon are authentic and full of real human emotion, which seems to be missing from most independent films these days. This is the kind of independent film that deserves your support, go see it and I guarantee you will not be disappointed!

Saw it at Central Standard Film Festival.

[alitigator1955 · 10/10 · 24 February 2004]

Loved it. And I'm a lawyer who generally can find an argument against almost any movie. Simple, authentic, smart and very touching. Can't ask for more. Nonetheless, I just submitted this and they said I needed a minimum of ten lines. So, I'll say that the acting is marvelous. Saw here on IMDB that the older actress, Pamela Gordon, died recently. That's sad. She was great. The younger one, Diane Gaidry, was great, too. Sorta has a young Melanie Griffith quality. Would love to see more stuff that she's in.

Don't normally write in for things like this, but saw the movie listed at another festival today and thought I should show my support to say thanks for a very enjoyable and profound hour and a half.

Don't Understand rating system, but film deserves the best

[joejacked1 · 10/10 · 25 August 2006]

I looked at the ratings system and don't understand what kind of secret formula IMDb uses that works to the detriment of this film. Based on how people have rated it, it should be a much higher score.

I say this because I just saw the film and thought it was amazing! Saw it at a benefit screening in Santa Monica. I've never used IMDb before and the filmmaker, who was at the screening, asked us to post something here if we liked the film. So, I am. But also read the other comments/ratings.

Anyway, I also read a bad review in the L.A. Times that was totally hostile and completely at odds with what I, and my fellow audience members, saw. Everyone I talked to loved the film and felt it was rich, complex and deeply affecting. The review was shallow and pointless. Ignore it - and others like it - and see this film for yourself. If you do hate it, too, don't be afraid to say so here. But I'm betting most of you will feel just the opposite. I did, anyway.

Subtle film with a powerful message.

[darlarobbins74 · 10/10 · 20 February 2004]

This incredible film really sneaks up on you with its emotional and intellectual impact. It uses metaphor in both obvious (the dogs) and sly ways, sprinkling humor throughout the compelling story. Although it can be a bit of a downer sometimes, it's over-all message is uplifting. And even though the plot stuff at the end has been done before, it felt perfectly appropriate. and indeed, necessary. The psychology of battered women has rarely been so accurately portrayed - full of complexity and contradiction. Bravo!

Great Film

[mlgould · 10/10 · 27 August 2006]

The DOG WALKER is and extremely powerful film. If you are looking for a "Hollywood" film with a big named cast and heavy budget then this film is not for you. I would encourage you not to watch it. Please don't waste your time; this film doesn't have either aspect to it. It's obvious when you go to sit down and watch the film that this is a character driven independent film. If you can let go to the fact that Julia Roberts isn't acting in this or Spielberg isn't directing this with a thirty million dollar budget, then this film is for you. First of all, the performance by Diane Gaidry, Pamela Godon and the rest of the cast were real, which makes the story that much stronger. You have to give credit to their strong screen presence do to the directing and writing of Jacques Thelemaque. Not a dog fan? So what! The film is not about "dogs," it's about people and relationships. If you are a dog fan, that's the perks for watching it. I'm not going to tell you to watch this because you should support independent films. I am going to tell you to watch it because it's a damn good film.

Simple film with strong message

[myfriendjess · 8/10 · 26 August 2006]

Saw it last night and loved it. It was very simple with interesting characters, and it had a wonderful message about healing broken pasts. Great- even if you don't love dogs! So many times in film like this, it seems people over act. But Gordon and Gaidry are subtle with depth. Beautiful shots of LA and even a bit of ironic humor. I loved this film.

They had a Q&A at the screening I went to last night, it seemed like the entire audience really enjoyed it. The director, Jacques Thelemacque, and the actress, Diane Gaidry were both there. They were so very warm in person. Although the amount of love put into the film was obvious from the beginning, it was even more so after hearing them speak. I look forward to seeing more of their work!

Dogwalker is a Must See!

[BreakawayProductions · 10/10 · 27 August 2006]

In the true spirit of independent film-making, writer/director Jacques Thelemaque and his wife/ partner, gifted actress Diane Gaidry, create a sensitive yet powerful film that is reminiscent of Cassavetes and Rowland collaborations in the past. The late Pamela Gordon also gives a stellar performance, as together this team puts a very truthful portrayal, a slice of real life up on the screen. Dogwalker is a touching story about healing old wounds and finding new friendship, love and hope in rebuilding one's life. Thelemaque directs with a master's touch, and his style reminds me of the best offerings from John Sayles. The fact that both Thelemaque & Gaidry are co-founders of Filmmakers Alliance in Los Angeles, and that that very community contributed immensely to making the film, sets them apart in the independent world as leaders who put their money where their heart is, and deliver the goods when they themselves are out in the field. To not see this accomplishment of theirs is to doubt the very foundation of independent film-making. And if you're a filmmaker, see this film and celebrate in their triumph, so you can be inspired by what's possible and aim high in your own aspirations.

A wayward woman finds her path in life through an unlikely friendship with a dog walker.

[cmmills · 8/10 · 29 August 2006]

Jaques Thelemaque and Diane Gaidry are a husband and wife team that are finding their voice as filmmakers through this story of Ellie, a quiet, lost woman who is searching for her path in life. In this, their first feature, they achieve storytelling of a much more mature level than most first features. How wonderful to explore the hope that animals provide us; we so often take that for granted. Pamela Gordon gives a wonderful, gritty performance. No nonsense with her. Such a loss when she passed away in real life. Go see this film, and watch for future films by Jacques Thelemaque. Look up Diane Gaidry. She's been in countless films recently as an actress, and recently won an award!

Loved the dogs!!

[margoconklin · 10/10 · 20 February 2004]

The movie is fantastic with incredible performances, many of them by dogs. I cried at the end over the humans in the movie, but cried even harder for the dogs that were memorialized in the credits.

Great movie!

Subtle, moving performances and compelling storyline distinguish this film.

[raymondadair · 10/10 · 20 February 2004]

Subtle, moving performances and compelling storyline distinguish this film from the hordes of unheralded indie films. It is realized with skill and sensitivity - truly an independent film gem. Diane Gaidry and Pamela Gordon play off of each other beautifully. And the film, apparently shot on dv, looks amazing. I recommend it highly.

Fate finds you when you're busy doing something else.

[sylvenwilde · 8/10 · 21 August 2006]

This is independent cinema at its best. The film follows a young woman who escapes her abusive boyfriend to find herself mugged, money less, and homeless, in LA. She wakes up in a dog park and is befriended by an older woman with a sketchy past. That begins the young woman's journey to find herself and the strength to stand up and face her fears. Jacques Thelemaque directs with a meditative simplicity that is hypnotic. This film is not only for dog owners, but anyone who is searching for something. Minus the car chases, and the typical Hollywood style sensationalism, this is a character driven story with a simplicity that reaches far beyond what's on the surface. The universe has a message for all of us, all we have to do is pay attention.

A great debut that left us all talking afterwards

[connorhalo · 8/10 · 30 August 2006]

This is a film that reminds us that what films are supposed to be about - compelling stories and characters. It didn't have a massive budget or a huge production. Certainly it could have been more 'polished' by Hollywood standards. But is that the point? Or is it the point that you go in and you forget about your own life for a couple of hours and get pulled into the lives of these two women? If it's the latter, then this film succeeds beautifully.

Fine performances from both human and canine and subtle, even-handed work from both the director and director of photography.

Please, go see this film. Not just to support independent cinema, but because you'll probably like it.

Brilliant and haunting

[hdavis-29 · 10/10 · 12 October 2016]

Just about every review I read here was a 9 or 10 so I'm not sure why the overall score was considerably lower. I guess there are some folks out there who hated this film or didn't find its small dark charms irresistible. Most people seemed to have caught it at a festival, which is an ideal venue. This is really an indie film in every way I understand the term. I saw it on a DVD which gave far greater depth to the whole experience. Two big stunners to me: (1) learning that Pamela Gordon died almost immediately after the film wrapped. And (2) watching the deleted scenes which truly would have changed the film's substance. Maybe it's better without them; I'm not sure. But it sure is different. The ending, which doesn't get altered in the outtakes, is wonderful. The film really is about redemption.

"The Dogwalker" is independent film at its finest

[Ginalevy · 8/10 · 29 August 2006]

Simply, a beautiful film. Moody, affecting, character-driven. No, it is not aesthetically or narratively ground-breaking, but it's not about that. It's about subtle moments and nuanced observations. It's about a clear directorial vision unafraid to look into humdrum lives and give them attention and meaning in a skillful, moving way. There's plenty of metaphor and layered subtext, but there is also a very elegant, melancholic simplicity. Refreshing.

P.S. I just tried to send this comment and it is telling me I need to write ten lines. Geez, I think the film is great, but I wasn't planning on writing a novel about it. I guess IMDb gets a lot of suspicious activity - between this little tool and the secret ratings curve, it's tough for the little guy to have an impact on this site. I admire their desire to keep the site from being abused, but without real humans to whom you can discuss issues or appeal the ratings or anything else, it winds up creating a headache for indie filmmakers. Too bad.

Brilliant

[seanhood · 9/10 · 27 September 2002]

This movie has all the intimacy, authenticity and depth the one hopes for in independent film. Jacques Thelemaque is subtitle yet masterful director who takes from masters such as John Cassavetes and European filmmakers such as Erick Zonca (Dreamlife of Angels, The (1998)). More importantly, the movie is both funny and touching. and has lots of cool dogs. oh, and the human actors are pretty sharp as well.

I dug it, sorta...

[K_man_on_earth · 10/10 · 8 September 2006]

I laughed. I cried. Although I cried more than I laughed. Well-made flick that kinda punches you in the gut. Not always pleasant, but, hey, that's life. Check it out! Anyhow, I guess you have to be a professsional reviewer or whatever to put something up here because it keeps buggin' me to do ten lines. Hmm, what more do I say? I think the flick works on lots a levels, but I'm too lazy to figure them all out. I'm only blabbing on because I never do comments and the one time I try, they make me do all this junk, so I'm doing it because I want my one and only comment to stand up. I think the acting is great. I liked that the characters are so messed up but watchin' them kinda hurt most of the time. The dogs are cool and I don't even love dogs. I like the little kinda sneaky comments on LA life. Movie's kinda slow paced which bugged me while I watched it, but then I liked after it was all over. The flick definitely has a weird effect. Can't quite figure out what it is. I like it, though. Hey, that's eleven lines! Lookit me go...!

Great sensitive drama with precise characters!

[petersonteddy · 9/10 · 6 March 2009]

Elli, a lost, unsteady and depressive women, stranded in Los Angeles. On the one hand, she luckily escaped from her violent boyfriend, on the other hand she is still the same victim, got robbed, beaten and almost raped. But within all the scum she found a friend: the old, grumpy Dogwalker Betsy, who teaches her that you at first have to take care of yourself, before the "dogs stops fooling you". The Dogwalker is sensitive movie about a young women with an unknown future and an an old one with an unknown past, helping each other to defend their right to live. Excellent acting and an amazing script settle this film, crowded by weird dog-people, one a layer above entertainment. It's an experience.

Over long

[info-868-430553 · 12 October 2010]

The story is a good one drawn out too long. There's not quite enough substance here for a full-featured film, as the story spends quite a lot of time chasing lost dogs - very realistically done. I have lost dogs several time myself when waking mutts http://www.theleadrole.co.uk http://www.followthelead.org.uk.

What power the film does have is in the interactions between Ellie and Betsy, which keep taking a back seat to walking the dogs through the park, Ellie's social life, Ellie's problem with addictive substances, and Ellie's encounters with the dog's owners. Likewise, while we finally get to see through Betsy's cracks, we never fully understand what lies beneath the full body armor Ellie uses to shield all her pain and scars. We can tell that Betsy sees much of herself in the younger woman and that she hopes to help her avoid the same mistakes she made, but we never know the full extent of what happened to Ellie.

Focusing in more on this and their relationship would have sharpened the film and increased its power. Both Ms Gaidry and Ms Gordon deliver super performances, it's just unfortunate that the film didn't take place somewhere where their characters would have been forced into more direct conflict and understanding rather than the megalopolis of LA which has its own grudges to bear upon them.