When I write about new trailers that are released, I typically include the studio’s synopsis of the film. It’s just an easy way to concisely provide an explanation for what the film is about and why you should care. But with Luc Besson’s “Dogman,” I’m going to include the synopsis as a way to show you just how a simple sentence can, at once, perfectly describe the film and also not even come close to explaining it.
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So, here’s the synopsis for “Dogman,” per the studio:
“The incredible story of a child, bruised by life, who will find his salvation through the love of his dogs.”
That sounds like an incredible Oscar-bait-y coming-of-age drama, right? Perhaps Besson is making a heartfelt film about the love between a lonely, abused boy and his amazing companion animals. What it doesn’t describe is what “Dogman” actually is.
You see, “Dogman,” which stars Caleb Landry Jones as the grown-up version of the abused boy described above, is actually a film about a man who grows up after being raised basically by dogs. Instead of overcoming his troubled childhood and becoming a better person because of it, he embraces the wild aspects, turning into an almost Joker-esque sociopath who only cares about dogs and hates all humans. Throw in some random tattooed gang members and guns, all through the lens of Luc Besson, and you end up with what seems to be a pulpy, balls-to-the-wall action film where the main character is in drag while he shoots bad people with a shotgun.
So, yeah, nothing like that synopsis, right?
“Dogman” arrives in French cinemas on September 27. It’s unclear when the film might arrive in North America. You can watch the trailer below.