Movie Info
Genre
Drama, MusicRelease Date
September 19, 2008 (Limited)MPAA Rating
RProduction Budget
$3.75 millionsStudio
Empire Film GroupOfficial Site
click here
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Cast and Crew
Director
Deborah KampmeierProducer
Raye Dowell, Jen Gatien, Deborah Kampmeier, Terry Leonard, Lawrence RobinsScreenwriter
Deborah KampmeierStarring
- Dakota Fanning as Lewellen
- Piper Laurie
- David Morse
- Robin Wright Penn as Stranger Lady
- Afemo Omilami
- Cody Hanford
- Jill Scott as Big moma thornton
Movie Story
A provocative Southern tale set in rural Alabama in the late 1950s, HOUNDDOG is the story of a spirited young girl LEWELLEN (Dakota Fanning) and her struggle to rise above the repression that surrounds her.
Lewellen lives with her stern religious zealot grandmother, GRAMMIE (Piper Laurie), but spends most of her time down the hill with her much-adored DADDY (David Morse) in his falling down shack. Daddy is wild and rough and frequently brings home a beautiful but troubled woman (Robin Wright Penn) who has a mysterious history with him and comes and goes when his drink and abuse become too much for her. But while she's around, Lewellen's longing heart reaches for her love.
Lewellen is deeply talented and finds comfort and safety, as well as a place to put her hurt and rage, in the music of Elvis Presley. When Elvis Presley comes to town for a concert, Lewellen is desperate to go but has no money for a ticket. Her best friend, Buddy, trying to get her a ticket, arranges for her to do her Elvis impersonation for a local teenager in exchange for tickets to the concert. During the impersonation, the teenager attacks Lewellen and steals her innocence.
The attack leaves Lewellen feeling alone and hopeless. It is only the caretaker CHARLES (Afemo Omilami) who can see the spirit in Lewellen and save her soul. He teaches her to use The Blues, to turn her tragedy into a gift. Lewellen ultimately finds her true voice, giving her the strength and courage to walk away from her past and into her future.
Reader's Reviews
good movie
posted by duclylucky76 on Nov 16, 2008where is the soundtrack?
posted by gumby on Apr 06, 2009loved it to pieces... Dakota Fanning is perfect!
posted by mbuckingham on Apr 08, 2009breathtaking
posted by shoubup on Apr 08, 2009move was good but where is the soundtrack?? love the music!!
posted by ravenbuty86 on Apr 19, 2009I'm looking for the soundtrack...
posted by All on May 04, 2009highly misunderstood by "supposed professional critics" who gave it low ratings...i recommend they watch the director's commentary (special features on dvd)...she explains the hard honest truth
posted by zimminkie on May 16, 2009would LOVE if soundtrack & songs were available!!!
posted by zimminkie on May 16, 2009
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posted by Pvegeaae on Jul 15, 2009I loved dakotas acting, it was so real I cried For real! I cried so hard like if I was living it. great movie i would have liked even more singing but its perfect the way it is :)
posted by Jealousysfav_target on Sep 14, 2009