HounddogMovie Reviews

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Avg. Critic Score: 31 out of 100 Generally unfavorable reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
15 Iffy for 15+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 70
    The Hollywood Reporter | James Greenberg

    In spite of a few missteps, the cumulative impact of the film is undeniable. Read full review

  • 70
    New York Magazine | David Edelstein

    Fanning is a child actor with a grown-up soul, and every move, every breath, seems mysteriously right. Read full review

  • 50
    The Onion A.V. Club | Nathan Rabin

    Pretty but overwrought, Hounddog doesn't deserve its infamy, nor does it merit being seen or remembered. Read full review

  • 50
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    Assembled from the debris of countless worn-out images of the Deep South and is indeed beautifully photographed. But the writer-director, Deborah Kampmeier, has become inflamed by the imagery and trusts it as the material for a story, which seems grotesque and lurid. Read full review

  • 40
    The New York Times | Jeannette Catsoulis

    Hounddog is never more than a sluggish dawdle from shack to swimmin' hole and back again. Read full review

  • 30
    Variety | Todd McCarthy

    An indigestible gumbo of Southern Gothic ingredients seasoned with snake oil, biblical hash and thoroughly unpalatable spice. Read full review

  • 20
    New York Daily News | Elizabeth Weitzman

    Rarely has there been a movie as misguided as Hounddog, which self-righteously indulges in exploitation while loudly decrying it. Read full review

  • 12
    Rolling Stone | Peter Travers

    What I can't figure is why anyone would want to release this tripe in theaters just when Fanning has nearly lived it down. They ain't no friends of mine, or any other moviegoer. Read full review

  • 10
    Los Angeles Times |

    The problems that plague the movie land squarely with the writer, director and producer, Deborah Kampmeier, who has crafted a howler of a bad script, shows little affinity for working with actors and displays no visual sense behind the camera. Read full review

  • 0
    Entertainment Weekly | Lisa Schwarzbaum

    Fanning is remarkably collected and even dignified. As for the rest of the gang, they ought to be returned to sender. Read full review

View more reviews for Hounddog on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 15+ Notorious Dakota Fanning indie too adult for kids.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this controversial independent drama has been discussed for more than a year as "the film where Dakota Fanning gets raped." Although the scene in question is far less graphic than the hype suggests, a heavy coming-of-age drama that deals with rape, racism, and family dysfunction isn't likely to appeal to teens (or, thankfully, Fanning's many even younger fans). In addition to the notorious rape scene, someone uses the "N" word against an African-American man, a woman is bitten by a rattlesnake, a man is struck by lightning, and a dog is shot. There's also some underage drinking and smoking and mild sexuality.
  • Families can talk about why this film is considered controversial. Is it because a young girl is assaulted or because Dakota Fanning is assaulted? Why do you think Fanning chose to take a role like this? Do child stars "owe" their younger fans anything in terms of making family-friendly movies? Families can also discuss Lewellen's love for Elvis' music. Critics have said that the filmmaker used Elvis as a symbol for how art can help people transcend/escape their troubles. Is that the movie's message? What about Lewellen's behavior -- was it risky? And how is race dealt with in the film? Why is it important to keep the setting and time period in mind?
The good stuff
  • message true0 Positive messages: A girl who loves singing Elvis songs above all else loses her passion for music and life after getting raped. An African-American man is portrayed as wise and comforting; he teaches a girl about the blues. A brutal father is struck by lightning.
What to watch for
  • violence false4 Violence: A young girl is raped after agreeing to take off her clothes for a teen boy. Viewers hear her scream and moan, but the camera focuses on her face and hands rather than showing the act taking place. Other disturbing images include a man being struck by lightning, a dog being shot, and a woman being bitten by a snake.
  • sex false3 Sex: A young girl dances, swims, and hangs around in her tank top and underwear. Later she takes off her clothes in exchange for the promise of a concert ticket.
  • language false2 Language: Language includes "idiot," "bastard," and the "N" word used as a racial slur (the film is set in the 1950s South).
  • consumerism false0 Consumerism: Just Elvis Presley music.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Several characters, including youngsters Lewellen and Buddy, smoke cigarettes. Scenes take place in a bar, where both adults and teens drink/get drunk.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

Looking for more reviews? Movies.com Critics Say:

Dave White

0.5

Dave White Profile See Dave White's Profile

...the most laugh-filled rotten movie of 2008. Read full review See Dave White's on MOVIENAME on Movies.com

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