Barking Dogs Never Bite

Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: May 27, 2001

5.9	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 18 Ratings

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Compi24Feb 20, 2020

An emotionally spare film that simply asks too much of its audience, "Barking Dogs Never Bite" couldn't have been more of a misleading starting point for the eventually wondrous filmography of Bong Joon-ho. As with any of the director'sAn emotionally spare film that simply asks too much of its audience, "Barking Dogs Never Bite" couldn't have been more of a misleading starting point for the eventually wondrous filmography of Bong Joon-ho. As with any of the director's films, you're given a sumptuously framed and shot social commentary, set in a space that seemingly is its own character, and featuring performances that are worthy of note. With "Barking Dogs," however, the difference lies in the characters, how the movie wants us to feel about them, and how we actually feel about them. Despite how shockingly personal and subjective I've learned this standard of mine is; I simply have to draw the line in front of animal cruelty. I have no issue with its existence as a concept in a film, but when I'm asked to sympathize -- in any way, no matter how small -- with a protagonist who willingly kills domesticated animals, I've checked out. Again, I have no problem with it being depicted responsibly. Just as long as it benefits the story. Having our protagonist be that guy simply doesn't work. I don't care if he gets in trouble. I don't care if he gets caught. I don't care if his wife leaves him. I just didn't connect with that part of the overall narrative. And the jazz piano layered on top of the scenes of simulated animal cruelty also didn't really gel with me either. It's not a terrible film in any technical regard, and even contains a few scenes of ethereal brilliance that so many Bong Joon-ho films have. It's just that the concept of the narrative didn't sit well with me.… Expand

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mande77Dec 13, 2020

After watching SNOWPIERCER and PARASITE, and seeing how good the ratings were (and that it’s on the Criterion Channel), I watched with high expectations that were quickly dashed. Everyone’s a jerk, two dogs are murdered, the humor is not asAfter watching SNOWPIERCER and PARASITE, and seeing how good the ratings were (and that it’s on the Criterion Channel), I watched with high expectations that were quickly dashed. Everyone’s a jerk, two dogs are murdered, the humor is not as present and top-notch as in PARASITE, and it’s not as interesting as that and SNOWPIERCER. A disappointing debut from a really good writer/director.… Expand

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