|
|
|
|
|
A Boy And His DogA Boy and His Dog is a science fiction film based on the Harlan Ellison short story of the same title, which appeared around 1976. There is also a graphic novel on the story titled Vic and Blood. This is a post-apocalyptic tale in which the earth's surface is devastated by nuclear war, and the few survivors who stayed above ground must forage and fight for food, ammunition, and women. The main character, Vic, played by Don Johnson in a notable early role, is an 18-year-old boy mainly concerned with fulfilling his sexual needs, e.g. with Quilla June (played by Susanne Benton). He is accompanied by a well-read and wise-cracking telepathic dog named Blood, who is an "experienced female provider" and helps sniff out women for Vic to rape, though he also has the unenviable task of trying to educate Vic and keep him safe from harm. Blood notes, with characteristic form, "human sex is an ugly thing." The rest of civilization has gone underground, or, as the film puts it, into the "downunder." One underground city, fashioned in a rather disturbing vision of 1950s rural innocence, solves its need for exogamous reproduction in a novel and potentially upsetting way. Charles McGraw played the part of The Preacher. Vic is baited into "service" (no pun intended) downunder by Quilla June, sent to the surface to lure him. Vic takes leave of his lifelong friend Blood to pursue the young lady into the underground, taking an increasing interest in her. He soon learns the harsh reality of their plans for him, but is saved by the girl who lured him there in the first place--she has bigger plans (but short lived). She and Vic escape to the surface, only to discover that Blood is near death. Vic faces a difficult situation, and in a surprise ending, sacrifices his new love to save his dog. The movie ends here, on an upbeat no less (typical of the movie). The graphic novels (titled Vic and Blood) are not upbeat, and continue the story. The situation deteriorates further, with Vic having guilt-ridden hallucinations, near-fatal encounters with gangs, getting separated from Blood again, and ending with the discovery of Blood in a hopeless state, poisoned by spider venom beyond any hope of saving. The treatment in the graphic novel is haunting and disturbing, far more so than the movie. This is a good example of how the same story story can be given two very different treatments. This movie and original short story are widely attacked for being misogynistic, but Harlan Ellison himself has been quoted as saying he did not intend it this way. = External links ==
|
 |
|
| Copyright 2005-2009 OnPedia.com. All Rights Reserved |
|
|