Dogtown (film)

Dogtown is a 1997 American drama film by George Hickenlooper about life in the small town of Cuba, Missouri starring Mary Stuart Masterson, Jon Favreau, Rory Cochrane, Harold Russell, and Natasha Gregson Wagner.

Plot
A failed actor returns to his small hometown, unaware that he has become a local celebrity. Taking advantage of his newfound fame, he attempts to impress an old unrequited crush who has fallen on hard times.

Cast

 * Trevor St. John as Phillip Van Horn, failed actor who returns to his hometown, had crush on Dorothy in high school
 * Mary Stuart Masterson as Dorothy Sternen, former beauty queen, now an alcoholic and depressed hairdresser in off/on relationship with Ezra
 * Jon Favreau as Ezra Good, racist bully from Phillip's past; off/on relationship with Dorothy
 * Karen Black as Rose Van Horn, Phillip's mother who sings in a local band
 * Harold Russell as Blessed William, a war veteran who runs the cigar store; Russell's final role before his death
 * Natasha Gregson Wagner as Sara Ruth Van Horn, Phillip's sister and Rose's daughter who is mentally handicapped
 * Rory Cochrane as Curtis Lasky, bully from Phillip's past; close friends with Ezra

Production
The film was shot entirely in Torrance, California. Hickenlooper intentionally tried to make Ezra Good, Jon Favreau's character, compelling and worthy of the audience's interest despite his racism. Shooting took 24 days. Russell's part was written for him, though he had to be persuaded to take the role.

Release
Dogtown premiered at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival in April 1997.

Reception
Todd McCarthy of Variety called it an "occasionally amusing" melodrama that pales in comparison to The Last Picture Show.

Awards

 * 1998 Hermosa Beach Film Festival: Best Director (George Hickenlooper); Best Screenplay (George Hickenlooper); Best Actress (Karen Black)
 * 1998 Newport Beach Film Festival: Best Director (George Hickenlooper)