SUN DOGS
US, 2017, 94 minutes, Colour.
Michael Angarano, Melissa Benoist, Ed O' Neill, Alison Janney, Jennifer Morrison, Eric Christian Olson, J.R.Ramirez, Xzibit.
Directed by Jennifer Morrison.
This is an unusual film. It focuses on a character who had brain damage from his birth and lives on the autistic range.
It is 2004. The Bush administration has the war on terror and there is an atmosphere of patriotism. Ned is played by Michael Angarano very effectively. He does all kinds of physical training in order to apply to join the Marines to go to fight in Afghanistan. The authorities are rather patient with him, send him off, telling him he can apply again – until one of the officers has the idea that he could be a Sun Dog, observing terrorists in the community. Ned takes it very seriously, uniform, cards with 100 terrorists photos, his observing suspects…
Ned lives at home, cared for by his mother, Alison Janney, who still has ambitions to do nursing training. Also at home is her partner, Bob, marvellously played by Ed O’ Neill.
Ned attracts the attention of a young girl, Talley (Melissa Bennoist) who is intrigued by Ned and his mission, joins him, photographs him, believes him. Ultimately, Ned has to face the truth and Talley, upset, taunts him and leaves for San Francisco.
The film has elicited a great deal of sympathy for Ned, audiences hoping that he will be helped to come to terms with his life and his patriotic ambitions.
The film was directed by Jennifer Morrison who also appears in the film
1. Title? The invention of a name for undercover agents in society? Ironies?
2. A genial film? A sad film? A challenging film?
3. The setting, the home, workplaces, Marine recruiting centres, airports, spy investigation centres? San Francisco, the ending? The musical score?
4. Ned’s story? A sympathetic young man? Introduction, waking, his room, instant exercises, the run, timing, his mother’s photos, on the wall? Earnest? Travelling on the bus, imagining himself fighting in Afghanistan? The atmosphere of 2004? Patriotism? Osama bin Laden? The interview with the officers, his enthusiasm, salutes, sir? His repeated visits, volunteering, instant? His qualifications, demonstrations? His continued returns?
5. His relationship with his mother, her patience, caring for him, fostering his concern and wanting to do good? Bob, his place in the household, relationship with Ned, father-figure?
6. Rose, Ned and his mental condition? At home? The father disappeared? The many years with Bob? Her patience, yet her desire for something else, to continue her nursing training, her eventually going to New York? The postcards?
7. Bob, age, Vietnam, initial ambitions, truck driving? His injury? The insurance and his having to refrain from active work? At home, reading, supporti of Ned? Father figure? The practicalities, commonsense, his philosophy of doing what you can? His patience with Ned, explanations, going out digging?
8. Talley, her talent for photography, yet unsettled, at the club, propositioning the men, the encounter with Bob, wanting a lift? The encounter with Ned, his charm, his explanations of Sun Dogs, her being caught up, driving him, sharing his enthusiasm, the secrecy, spying on potential terrorists, photographing? Believing Ned?
9. Ned, the officials at the Marine recruiting office, the receptionist and her patience, the two men, listening to Ned, creating the idea of Sun Dogs, Ned and his enthusiasm, uniform, action, filming, giving the information? Eventually going too far, the police at the airport? The officer and his apology, wanting to help Ned but going too far?
10. Talley, her being upset, leaving, taunting Ned about his mental abilities, virginity? A letter from San Francisco and her apology?
11. Ned, the brain difficulties, from birth, autistic range? The typewriter, writing his cards, reading from them, exhortations?
12. Wanting to help people, the idea of going to San Francisco, the bridge, seeing the woman on the bridge and offering her the note? Audience feeling about Ned at this moment of the film’s conclusion?
