DOGMAN (2023) REVIEW

   

     "Caleb Landry Jones takes a wild ride in 'Dogman,' but unfortunately, the leash is too short and the treats too stale for this performance. Playing Doug, a dog shelter owner and amateur drag performer, Jones delivers a twitchy, flamboyant show that feels like a bark without a bite. With Luc Besson at the helm, one might expect fireworks, but instead, we're left with a dull script and cheap visuals that even a pack of poodles couldn't save.

Doug's journey from sullen martyr to misunderstood misfit is paved with good intentions, but the road is riddled with cosmic potholes. From his arrest in a tacky pink dress to his dramatic recollections to a sympathetic yet undercooked police psychiatrist, every scene feels like a chew toy that's lost its squeak.

But let's not throw Jones to the dogs just yet. With his sickly glare and preening Southern accent, he's certainly committed, even if the result is more howl than howl-worthy. And when it comes to his drag performances, well, let's just say it's less Edith Piaf and more MC5 in a wig.

But it's not all fetch and no play. There are moments of campy delight, like when Doug struts out of his wheelchair to the strains of 'Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien,' but they're few and far between. Instead, we're treated to choppy flashbacks and cardboard cutout characters who do little to flesh out Doug's world.

In the end, 'Dogman' feels like a missed opportunity—a shaggy dog story that never quite finds its bark. Perhaps with a more generous script and a slower pace, Jones could have sunk his teeth into the role. But as it stands, this dog won't be winning any Best in Show awards."