Hounddog (2007)

Hounddog: Directed by Deborah Kampmeier. With Dakota Fanning, Granoldo Frazier, Isabelle Fuhrman, Cody Hanford. A drama set in the American South, where a precocious, troubled girl finds a safe haven in the music and movement of Elvis Presley.

“In the hidden recesses of the South, there are many tragic stories which emerge about how brutal life is. Often such stories can make it to the big screen and illustrate how difficult it is to put it on film. u0026#39;Bastard out of Carolinau0026#39; and u0026#39;Betrayedu0026#39; are but two examples. Here is another which was purportedly so shocking few would be able to finish it. The movie is called u0026quot; Hounddog u0026quot; and relates the early life of a little girl named Lewellen (Dakota Fanning) who lives in a shabby, ram shackled house with her itinerant, slightly retarded father, (David Morse) who is scratching out a modest living as a farmer. Helping to raise Lewellen is u0026quot;Grammieu0026quot; (Piper Laurie) her Grandmother, a strict, overbearing and often religiously intolerant relative who keeps the family secrets and indiscretion records of all the u0026quot;Sinsu0026quot; committed by the family. Lewellen has one close friend named u0026#39;Buddyu0026#39; (Cody Hanford) whom she trusts and shares what little happiness there is in her life. Lewellen has one overpowering ambition and that is to imitate her idol, Elvis Presley (Ryan Pelton). To this end, she will do anything to see him in a live concert. So driven is she to her quest, she allows herself to be tricked and raped. The controversial scene is almost non-existent and nothing if transient. The editing, dialog, directing and script are poor and few scenes are given much depth. So much so, one concludes the story and itu0026#39;s integral film parts are juvenile, haphazard and often amateurish at best. One aspect of the movie should be noted and that is Lewellenu0026#39;s friendship with the neighboring black character called Charles (Afemo Omilami) who offers understanding, comfort, sage advice and medicinal education concerning snakes and the intention of enemies. The movie has gained little accolades aside from the controversy. In short, the movie is interesting, but little which will propel audiences to remember it. **”