Hounddog

In my opinion, Hounddog is one of the best Dakota Fanning movies. It's not so much the screenplay or the directing - it's what this little actress - who was only 12 years old at the time - was able to do with this role. Her ability to make you see her as the character Lewellen and feel everything that she goes through is amazing. If the movie had been released across the country I fully believe that Dakota would have been nominated for a Best Actress Oscar and might very well have won.

The movie wrapped in 2006 and was set to be released in 2007. It was an independent film so before it could be released it was set to make the rounds of Film Festivals. Before the first festival there was already buzz - after the first festival the buzz was that no no one would put it in their theaters. Why?!? Because of one scene in the movie that lasts - at the most - 30 seconds. It was a rape scene - now before you suck in your breath and go omg let me say - you never see her and the actor in the same shot - you never see any "body" parts - the way Dakota was able to portray Lewellen going from excitement - to fear - to terror - then being inside herself - was incredible to see. Watching this I really appreciated the fact that this young lady has pure, natural talent for this craft. Other people weren't able to - or didn't want to see this - they were more interested in pointing fingers at her parents and saying how horrible they were to let her be in this movie. Where were these same "horrified" people when she was 11 and playing a part in Hide and Seek - which was a very bloody horror film.

It saddens me that because of a few very vocal people, this film was never released in theaters and that the only way people can see it is to rent it. And probably the only way people will know to rent this is via word of mouth. I recommend this movie!

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