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==Plot==
==Plot==
Ned Chipley has learning difficulties, and is living with his mother Rose and his stepfather Bob Garrity. Ned's birthday is on September 11, so he repeatedly tries to enlist in the Marines. Rejected, he continues with his janitorial job at the casino. Bob can't work, being in a lawsuit against his truck-driving company for his back injuries. Rose is frustrated but stays strong for Ned.
Ned, [[Perinatal asphyxia|brain damaged during childbirth]], is living with his mother Rose and his stepfather Bob. Ned's birthday is on September 11, so he repeatedly tries to enlist in the Marines. He works as a janitor at a casino. Bob can't work, being in a lawsuit against his truck-driving company for his back injuries. Rose is frustrated but stays strong for Ned.


In Ned's latest attempt to enlist, Staff Sergeant Jenkins tells Ned about a fictitious unit known as the Sun Dogs that watch over Al Qaeda cells in the US, appealing to Ned's desire to save lives. Ned believes him, passing out cards, telling everyone he meets to stay vigilant. Ned also encourages Rose to follow her dreams to become an EMT and move to New York City. Rose realizes that she has been using Ned as an excuse to stay behind and decides to go.
In Ned's latest attempt to enlist, Staff Sergeant Jenkins concocts a secret unit known as the Sun Dogs that watch over Al-Qaeda cells in the US, appealing to Ned's desire to save lives. Ned believes him, passing out business cards identifying himself as a Marine [[Special operations|special operative]].


Ned encourages Rose to follow her dreams of becoming an EMT and moving to New York City. Rose realizes that she has been using Ned as an excuse and decides to finally go.
⚫
At the casino, Ned approaches Tally Petersen, an unemployed woman who keeps a trailer by sleeping with the trailer park superintendent. When she is thrown out of the casino, Ned tells her about his mission. Believing Ned to be a Marine, she helps with his investigation of his boss, Sameer Udday, whom Ned believes is an Al-Qaeda agent.


⚫
At the casino, Ned approaches Tally, unable to comprehend that she is a prostitute trolling for business. When she is thrown out of the casino, Ned tells her about his mission. Believing Ned to be a Marine, she helps with his investigation of his boss, Sameer Udday, whom Ned believes is an Al-Qaeda agent.
⚫
They grow close during multiple stakeouts of Udday, trailing and filming him. Tally, talented at filmmaking, makes and edits videos they submit as "evidence" to Jenkins. They eventually sneak back into the casino. When caught, Tally is almost arrested for trespassing until Ned uses the sleeper hold on the security guard. Ned gets fired and Bob bails him out of jail. Tally is grateful to Ned and even more convinced that he is a Marine.


⚫
They grow close during multiple stakeouts of Udday, trailing and filming him. Tally, talented at filmmaking, makes and edits videos they submit as "evidence" to Jenkins. They enter the casino and steal Udday's emails. When Tally is seen, she is almost arrested for trespassing until Ned uses the sleeper hold on the security guard. Ned gets fired and Bob bails him out of jail.
⚫
Ned invites Tally to Thanksgiving, but she is initially hesitant, as she met Bob while a [[wiktionary:lot lizard|lot lizard]]. Tally tells Ned about her mother's suicide; she had felt invisible and, before dying, wrote that if anyone said hello to her before she reached the bridge, she wouldn't kill herself. Tally declares Ned is a caring person and that he would've seen her and said "hi." Realizing that she cares about him, she accepts the dinner invite.


⚫
Ned invites Tally to Thanksgiving, but she is hesitant, having previously attempted to solicit Bob. Tally tells Ned about her mother's suicide; she had felt invisible and, before dying, wrote that if anyone said hello to her before she reached the bridge, she wouldn't kill herself. Tally declares Ned is a caring person and that he would've seen her and said hi. Realizing that she cares about him, she accepts the dinner invite.
⚫
At Thanksgiving, Bob is clearly displeased. Rose, after learning of Tally's filmmaking talents, suggests applying to film school. Seeing that she genuinely cares for Ned, she decides not to spill the truth. Later, Bob is shocked that Rose has accepted a job as an EMT in NYC. Rose says it's time for her to find her calling, as Bob is still waiting on the lawsuit. Rose kisses Bob goodbye before leaving.


⚫
At Thanksgiving, Bob is clearly displeased. Rose, after learning of Tally's filmmaking talents, suggests applying to film school. Later, Bob is shocked that Rose has accepted a job as an EMT in NYC. Rose says it's time for her to find her calling, as Bob is still waiting on the lawsuit. Rose kisses Bob goodbye before leaving.
When Tally receives a transcript of the video recording of Udday's conversation after they mistakenly believe that there was going to be a second Al-Qaeda attack, she goes to Ned's, finding Bob there. Bob tells Tally the truth about Ned. In denial, she finally goes into Ned's room, sees he is not a Marine which breaks her heart. Tally lashes out at Ned for lying to her and leaves him.


Tally reads the Udday emails, learning that he and his friends "are confirmed to fly". She goes to pick up Ned, finding Bob there. Bob tells Tally the truth about Ned. She is unsure, but enthusiastically takes Ned to track Udday. Ned calls 911 to declare an Al-Qaeda attack, but Tally sees that Udday and his friends are there to fly model airplanes. Tallylashes out at Ned, calling him a retard and leaving just before multiple police arrive to arrest him.
Ned informs Jenkins that he resigns. Ned's depression continues to worsen, prompting Bob to ask Jenkins to talk to Ned. Jenkins apologizes to Ned for lying to him and lets him know why he never allowed him to enlist. He then leaves, telling him to find his purpose in life. Ned receives postcards from his mother and Tally, who wrote to apologize. Inspired by Ned, Tally submitted the videos from the stakeout to a film school in San Francisco and got accepted.


Bailed out of jail (again), Ned informs Jenkins that he resigns. Ned's depression prompts Bob to ask Jenkins to talk to Ned. Jenkins apologizes for lying to him and frankly explains why Ned will never be accepted into the Marines. He tells Ned to find his purpose in life.
⚫
Bob buys a metal detector and he and Ned search for a gold mine. They go at night so as to avoid being seen doing physical activity. Bob ultimately decides to drop the lawsuit, then gives fatherly advice to Ned. He tells him to know his limits and set realistic goals.


Ned receives postcards from his mother and Tally, who wrote to apologize. Inspired by Ned, Tally submitted the videos from the stakeout to a film school in San Francisco and received a scholarship.
⚫
Ned recalls Tally's theory that if they could prevent suicides from jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge, in 50 years it would even out 9/11. Inspired by the story of her mother's suicide, Ned makes notecards with the phrase "HELLO, HOW ARE YOU TODAY?" and goes to the Golden Gate Bridge. He hands one of them to a woman who is evidently contemplating suicide.

⚫
Bob buys a metal detector and he and Ned search for a gold mine. They go at night so as to avoid being seen doing physical activity. Bob ultimately decides to drop the lawsuit, then gives fatherly advice to Ned, telling him to know his limits and set realistic goals.

⚫
Ned recalls Tally's theory that if someone could prevent suicides from jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge, in 50 years it would even out 9/11. Inspired by the story of her mother's suicide note, Ned makes notecards with the phrase "HELLO, HOW ARE YOU TODAY?" and goes to the Golden Gate Bridge. He hands one of them to a woman who is evidently contemplating suicide.


==Cast==
==Cast==

Revision as of 02:48, 29 January 2023

Sun Dogs
Poster
Directed byJennifer Morrison
Screenplay byRaoul McFarland
Story byRaoul McFarland
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMichael Alden Lloyd
Edited byJoe Talbot Hall
Music byMark Isham
Production
company
Distributed byNetflix
Release dates
  • June 18, 2017 (2017-06-18) (LAFF)
  • April 6, 2018 (2018-04-06) (Netflix)
Running time
94 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Sun Dogs is a 2017 American comedy-drama film written by Raoul McFarland and starring Michael Angarano, Melissa Benoist, Xzibit, Allison Janney, and Ed O'Neill.[1] The film marks the feature film directorial debut of actress Jennifer Morrison, who also plays a supporting role in the film. The film premiered at the LA Film Festival in June 2017 and was released on Netflix on April 6, 2018.[2][3]

Plot

Ned, brain damaged during childbirth, is living with his mother Rose and his stepfather Bob. Ned's birthday is on September 11, so he repeatedly tries to enlist in the Marines. He works as a janitor at a casino. Bob can't work, being in a lawsuit against his truck-driving company for his back injuries. Rose is frustrated but stays strong for Ned.

In Ned's latest attempt to enlist, Staff Sergeant Jenkins concocts a secret unit known as the Sun Dogs that watch over Al-Qaeda cells in the US, appealing to Ned's desire to save lives. Ned believes him, passing out business cards identifying himself as a Marine special operative.

Ned encourages Rose to follow her dreams of becoming an EMT and moving to New York City. Rose realizes that she has been using Ned as an excuse and decides to finally go.

At the casino, Ned approaches Tally, unable to comprehend that she is a prostitute trolling for business. When she is thrown out of the casino, Ned tells her about his mission. Believing Ned to be a Marine, she helps with his investigation of his boss, Sameer Udday, whom Ned believes is an Al-Qaeda agent.

They grow close during multiple stakeouts of Udday, trailing and filming him. Tally, talented at filmmaking, makes and edits videos they submit as "evidence" to Jenkins. They enter the casino and steal Udday's emails. When Tally is seen, she is almost arrested for trespassing until Ned uses the sleeper hold on the security guard. Ned gets fired and Bob bails him out of jail.

Ned invites Tally to Thanksgiving, but she is hesitant, having previously attempted to solicit Bob. Tally tells Ned about her mother's suicide; she had felt invisible and, before dying, wrote that if anyone said hello to her before she reached the bridge, she wouldn't kill herself. Tally declares Ned is a caring person and that he would've seen her and said hi. Realizing that she cares about him, she accepts the dinner invite.

At Thanksgiving, Bob is clearly displeased. Rose, after learning of Tally's filmmaking talents, suggests applying to film school. Later, Bob is shocked that Rose has accepted a job as an EMT in NYC. Rose says it's time for her to find her calling, as Bob is still waiting on the lawsuit. Rose kisses Bob goodbye before leaving.

Tally reads the Udday emails, learning that he and his friends "are confirmed to fly". She goes to pick up Ned, finding Bob there. Bob tells Tally the truth about Ned. She is unsure, but enthusiastically takes Ned to track Udday. Ned calls 911 to declare an Al-Qaeda attack, but Tally sees that Udday and his friends are there to fly model airplanes. Tallylashes out at Ned, calling him a retard and leaving just before multiple police arrive to arrest him.

Bailed out of jail (again), Ned informs Jenkins that he resigns. Ned's depression prompts Bob to ask Jenkins to talk to Ned. Jenkins apologizes for lying to him and frankly explains why Ned will never be accepted into the Marines. He tells Ned to find his purpose in life.

Ned receives postcards from his mother and Tally, who wrote to apologize. Inspired by Ned, Tally submitted the videos from the stakeout to a film school in San Francisco and received a scholarship.

Bob buys a metal detector and he and Ned search for a gold mine. They go at night so as to avoid being seen doing physical activity. Bob ultimately decides to drop the lawsuit, then gives fatherly advice to Ned, telling him to know his limits and set realistic goals.

Ned recalls Tally's theory that if someone could prevent suicides from jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge, in 50 years it would even out 9/11. Inspired by the story of her mother's suicide note, Ned makes notecards with the phrase "HELLO, HOW ARE YOU TODAY?" and goes to the Golden Gate Bridge. He hands one of them to a woman who is evidently contemplating suicide.

Cast

Release

The film premiered LA Film Festival on June 18, 2017. The film was also featured in the 2017 Austin Film Festival, SCAD Savannah Film Festival, Los Cabos International Film Festival, Cucalorus Film Festival, and the 2018 Mammoth Film Festival.[4]

The film won three awards at the 2018 Mammoth Film Festival, Best Actor for Michael Angarano, Best Picture, and the Grandy Jury Award. The film also won Best Narrative Feature at the 2017 SCAD Savannah Film Festival.[5]

Reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 80% based on five reviews. Sheri Linden from The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "Morrison balances her affection for all the characters with droll naturalism and an assured visual style."[6]

Renee Schonfeld from Common Sense Media gave a positive review, writing : "Jennifer Morrison's initial feature direction is a delicate movie, honest within the constraints of its fantastical premise. It focuses on relationships, compassion, and every individual's right to live a life of purpose. Sun Dogs is gentle, heartfelt, and skilled. Working with notable actors, she brings nuance and grace to what, in lesser hands, might have been stereotypes of America's struggling working class."[7]

References

  1. ^ "Michael Angarano & Melissa Benoist To Star In Jennifer Morrison's 'Sun Dogs'". Deadline Hollywood. June 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  2. ^ "'Sun Dogs' Filmmaker-Actress Jennifer Morrison Signs With CAA, Anonymous Content". Deadline Hollywood. 14 February 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  3. ^ White, Peter (December 15, 2017). "Jennifer Morrison's Directorial Debut 'Sun Dogs' Lands At Netflix". Deadline Hollywood.
  4. ^ "Sun Dogs (2017) -Release Info". IMDb. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  5. ^ "Sun Dogs (2017) -Awards". IMDb. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  6. ^ "Sun Dogs Review". The Hollywood Reporter. 25 June 2017. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  7. ^ "Sun Dogs Review". Common Sense Media . Retrieved April 8, 2018.
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