Dogman unleashes its inner drama

Dogman is a tale of brokenness and survival that wraps its story around Douglas (Caleb Landry Jones), a man who finds solace in the company of a pack of stray dogs while navigating the turmoil of a troubled past. Besson’s direction leans heavily into melodrama, turning a seemingly bleak narrative into a tale that alternates between tragic and absurd. At its heart, the movie seems to strive for a balance between crime drama and the unbreakable bond between man and dog, yet it struggles to maintain consistency throughout.

Jones delivers an intense performance, embodying Douglas with a mix of vulnerability and fierceness that gives Dogman its emotional core. His relationship with the dogs is both heartwarming and eerie, a peculiar blend that adds a unique flavor to the film. However, the movie tends to lose its grip on pacing, drifting into lengthy sequences that feel more indulgent than impactful. The plot attempts to be profound but often settles into the territory of the bizarre, leaving viewers questioning the direction Besson intends to take.

The cinematography is striking, as expected from Besson’s keen eye for visual storytelling. Scenes are drenched in a gritty, urban palette that reflects Douglas’s fractured world. Yet, while the visuals captivate, the script doesn’t always follow suit. The narrative oscillates between gritty realism and almost surreal theatrics, which at times work against the film’s emotional resonance. There’s a sense that Dogman wants to explore deeper themes of trauma, redemption, and the struggle for connection, but its approach sometimes feels scattered.

There are moments when Besson manages to capture something poignant — the quiet exchanges between Douglas and his canine companions, for example, are a testament to the power of unspoken understanding. However, these glimpses of raw beauty are often overshadowed by an overambitious storyline that bites off more than it can chew.

Overall, Dogman is a mixed bag. It’s intriguing and visually compelling, with a central performance that commands attention. Yet, its uneven storytelling and occasional descent into melodrama make it difficult to fully embrace. A film that dares to be different but might have benefited from a tighter leash on its narrative direction.