A Tail of Two Movies — “I Am Legend” and “No Country for Old Men”
I don’t usually review movies in general release. There are so many movie critics and most movies don’t seriously involve dogs. But there are two movies currently in theaters that represent the best and the worst of how dogs are viewed and treated.
The first movie is the most recent. “I Am Legend,” with the fantastic Will Smith playing Dr. Robert Neville, has a dog, Samantha, whom I believe deserves a Supporting Actress nomination. She and Smith carry the picture for most of the time. I don’t want to spoil the movie for anyone but Sam is Neville’s family and protector. She is essentially Neville’s equal in their lives. We understand the depth of Neville’s heroic character due to his love for Samantha. The relationship between Samantha and Neville is so intense that harm to her almost breaks him mentally and emotionally.
“I Am Legend” is the deepest and most important kind of dog movie. It shows the intensity of the symbiotic human/canine bond. Many, many barks for “I Am Legend” and Will Smith for his performance.
On the other, darker and more horrific, hand is the Coen Brother offering of “No Country for Old Men.” While I have to say that I have been a Coen Brothers fan in the past, this movie will make me hesitate to view all future Coen Brothers’ movies. This movie may be a “masterpiece” as I’ve read and heard elsewhere, but it is a masterpiece that perhaps should not have been made or at least involved dogs.
Why? Because the level of violence for the sake of violence, especially against animals, promises to inspire sick individuals to recreate the horrendous acts against dogs. Spoiler alert but in the first few minutes, we see a badly injured mastiff, a dead mastiff-type dog who has been used for protecting drug dealers and the shooting of a large dog used to attack by drug dealers.
Now, I understand that movie purists could say that the injured and killed dogs were there to show us how violent this lifestyle is and how dangerous it is to mess with these kinds of people. I’ve got it. That’s a nice, rational argument. The problem is that by showing the killing of these large dogs, the moviemakers are giving sick people the (I am sure very unintended) message that its okay to kill these kinds of dogs because they are “bad’ anyway.
Think I’m wrong? That’s your right but why do you think Pit Bulls and other supposedly “dangerous dogs” are more likely to be tortured and murdered? Could it be that societal messages about thie “bad temperments” give those people already geared in that direction just enough tacit approval in their minds? I strongly suspect this is the case.
The rest of the movie is horrifyingly violent and the only people suffering are the ones who mean no harm or who try to intervene in the killing sprees. I realize the dogs were not the only ones to suffer but they are ultimately the most yulnerable in real life and also the most likely to suffer at the hands of sick people performing copycat dog abuse.
In the end, “No Country for Old Men” represents the worst of how society views and treats dogs (and other humans, as well). These are the dogs Vick and his ilk tortured and murdered. Is it not time to show some restraint and concern in movies? I’m not calling for censorship; I’m calling for forsight and responsibility.
You are so right.The “I Am Legend” movie was terrific and Sam DID deserve a supporting actress nom.
Sam represented the loyalty to mankind dogs have and how dogs were with us in the beginning and will be with us to the end.She was “Neville’s” only friend who kept him from going insane I think.
I get your point about violence against dogs in general but think about what you are saying… I have not seen the second movie but I can compare your description to what I thought was an excellent film, Amores Perros. This movie involves the violence of dog fighting and while some may argue that it could encourage youngsters to seek dog fighting I actually felt that the portrayal of the dog, a large Rotti, as having the same double life as the teen that took him to the fights. The use of the dog is an instrument in the movie the same as the use of the actors.
Besides, think about an epic film featuring Roman armies using Mastiffs as part of their military. Would you oppose to this on the grounds that it may inspire sickos to create a Mastiff militia? People inspired to do harm against animals are already over the top.
However, I do think that there is a need for more portrayals such as that in “I Am Legend.” There is nothing like showing the bond of cross-species loyalty and family.
Lozeeroze,
Thanks for barking in.
I am not against all violence against or involving dogs in films or literature. In most cases, the violence is intrinsic to the story or part of the actual history.
The problem with “No Country for Old Men” is that the violence is so all-pervasive and unredemptive that the violence against dogs is free-standing. While there appears to be context for the dog violence it feels as if the dog deaths are okay and acceptable as part of that life. In one case, the protaganist has to kill a dog who has been told to chase and kill him. So the only picture we get of dogs is one of menace and violence.
“No Country for Old Men” is an orgy of violence against humans as well. The murderer kills humans like most of us would buy a newspaper, cheaply and without much thought for ramifications. But sickos “inspired” by this movie are less likely to go after humans first because there ARE ramifications in the real world. As for dogs, they are not so lucky or protected. They become sitting ducks for this violence.
And yes, many of those into animal abuse are over the top but there are many, many other marginal people who only need a little hint that something is okay. How many times do we hear of teens and children who “experiment” with animal abuse? Granted, this movie is rated for adults but many of those are sick as well.
Please understand I am NOT in favor of any type of censorship by governmental or social agencies. I am asking that artists self censor. Just like not all personal thoughts or ideas should be shared, some kinds of “art” should be reconsidered before sharing with the broader world.
The Coen brothers are a disgrace.
Maybe when mothers teach their children that anything is acceptable as long as it makes a fast buck…..
pitiful
My mom and I very nearly went to see “No Country for Old Men” this Christmas, but chose not to due to the reviews of violence. After reading your review about gratuitous violence specifically toward dogs, there is no way I would see that movie.
I do plan to see “I am Legend.” It doesn’t really surprise me that Will Smith would be in a dog-positive film, given that it was he and his wife Jada who helped give Cesar Millan his start.
Bobbe
I have to write in and say that while I understand how difficult it was to watch the violent scenes in No Country for Old Men, I disagree that the scenes will lead to copycats.
There was NO glamour in the way that violence against dogs or people was portrayed. The lifestyle of a drug dealer or those involved even in a tertiary way was not portrayed as attractive or desireable. In fact, the disgust present in the deputy’s voice when he said, “they even shot the dog” helped underscore the fact that drug crimes harm even the most innocent and no one is safe.
I for one was glad that we didn’t see any other dogs or other pets in the movie. I would have worried about the pet’s well being and safety through the entire movie.
I understand how hard it was to watch the scene where the dog gets shot, but unfortunately violence doesn’t discriminate. I found it a very sad, but true condemnation of the violence that can be found in our society.
Can anyone tell me what type of dog was in no country for old men .I thought he was beautiful .I dont like to see a dog protrayed in such a manner .Dogs should be shown as our best friends which I have always found to be true.