Reviews (30)

A Powerful Take on a Continuing Controversy
This trilogy of stories is both powerful and thought provoking. The movie follows the stories of three women of different eras who are conflicted regarding their unplanned pregnancies. While fictional in form, in reality it reflects the changing views and policies toward abortion from the 1950's to the present era.

The setting of all three segments is in a single house. This masterful production/directorial technique seems to be symbolic for an issue which has always been controversial to many. As the house becomes more and more dilapidated over each segment, we also see that the right to abortion is becoming a compoundingly fragile right that could be taken away at any time. Instead of gaining strength over time, the volatile issue is subject to the demands of the political party in command.

The dynamics of the eras are reflected so realistically in each segment, that a viewer cannot help but to be actively drawn into the drama. The segments feature all-star casts including such heavy hitters as Demi Moore, Sissy Spacek, Cher, Anne Heche, and Jada Pinkett. Cher deserves special attention for both directing and acting in the excellent third segment.

Rather than pro-choice, I think the video challenges us to think, "What if there were no choice?" This is recommended viewing for women and men alike, and this movie will stay in your thoughts for a long time to come.

A picture is worth a thousand words...
This is an incredibly powerful film, and I agree with other reviewers that it solidly argues the pro-choice stance on abortion. Not only are the stories of women who choose abortions portrayed, but the story of a woman (Sissy Spacek) who decides that she could only live with herself if she keeps her baby is also featured. Part of me wants to recommend that only grown women with strong stomachs view this film (cold steel and substantial blood loss make me cringe) and part of me wants to beg every mother to watch this movie with her daughter and talk about what choice and freedom really mean. Before Roe vs. Wade, women died for the mistakes they made. Today they don't have to. This movie wasn't easy to watch. It had a powerful message to deliver, and I think that all the people who helped make this film must have believed very strongly in what they were doing.

Concerning the actual acting and direction, it was superb. Cher's acting has never been better, and Demi Moore was also phenomenal. The structure of the film, which is divided into three sections (one in the 50s, one in the 70s, and one in the 90s) was really engaging. One house is the setting for most of the movie. As the times change and tenants move, different women who live in the house become the focus of the movie. This movie was entertaining and it even taught me something. If you are interested in learning more about abortions before the Roe vs. Wade decision, I recommend the novel The Cider House Rules.

Yes, a bit political, but...
I found this movie a bit political, yes, but it was a very well done movie. I am pro-life and did not find this movie offensive in any way. I felt for the women portrayed here. Those who complain about the political approach are only mad because it is not their belief. If you feel very strongly against abortion, DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE. Everyone else, watch and think.

If These Walls Could Preach & Nag
By the end of this "bold, provocative" film there's such a smug, desperate self-righteousness that I'm surprised the filmmakers didn't morph the faces of pro-lifers into rats and call for their extinction.
Anyone who finds this film balanced has to be so far removed from reality that the STAR WARS films could be considered documentaries for NASA.

To be perfectly honest, I've stayed out of the abortion debate and rarely offer any opinion, but films like this annoy for their arrogance and, yes, condescension for their "enemies." Go ahead and have a deranged religious fanatic make a martyr out of the abortion doctor--but show us what that abortion doctor does as well. Once the audience sees what happens in a clinic, they could understand how wackos can resort to violence.
Bold? Hardly. Provocative? Not this time.
The drama was tossed aside for a political speech.

The biggest problem I have with the film is that young women will watch it as a "educational" film when it barely qualifies as "entertainment."

Walls and Bridges
When this film was first broadcast on HBO back in 1996, I found it quite compelling. Yes, it had its less than subtle moments, but for a made-for-cable movie, it was pretty darn effective, I thought. The anthology approach--three stories from three different eras in recent history (the 50s, the 70s and the mid-90s)--effectively portrayed the shift in attitudes toward abortion in the US over the past several decades and how its legalization has profoundly altered women's lives. The film's occasional heavyhandedness was not unexpected, but the top flight cast seemed to overcome the script's occasional lapses into preachiness. And overall, it seemed to reflect as balanced a treatment of a complex issue as you could possibly hope for (while definitely maintaining a "pro-choice" perspective throughout).

Or so it seemed at the time. On re-viewing the film recently, I found I had less patience with its flaws for some reason. I have little argument with the pro-choice point of view being advanced by the film. Indeed the film's message that such a choice is almost never anything but traumatic is a potent one and one that abortion rights opponents need always to keep in mind.

But it doesn't invalidate the film's message to say that it probably could have been handled with more subtlety. There are a number of moments in all three films that could have used a leavening touch, but I'll limit myself to one from the third installment (SPOILER WARNING): namely the shoot-up in the clinic that serves as the film's climax.

As someone else pointed out below, by the mid-90s most abortion clinics had metal detectors. Gunmen outside the clinics remained a hazard, but there is no reported case of abortion providers getting shot on the premises (none that I am aware of anyway). Yes, yes, there is such a thing as dramatic license, but when you're dealing with such an incendiary topic to begin with, it's hardly necessary to invoke it.

WALLS remains worth watching, to be sure, but if I were to recommend just one film on the topic of abortion, this would probably not be the one. A film like CITIZEN RUTH addresses the same themes with more irony and panache than this sometimes ploddingly earnest effort can muster. ... Read more

Description

Four young Marines compete to see who can find the homliest date. ... Read more

Reviews (39)

A Beautiful, True to life story
This movie was directed by Nancy Savoca, a woman who did much with low budgets. Here she gets her first fairly large budget (but still not much by Hollywood Standards) and she gives us a wonderful story. Set on the Eve of the Kennedy Assasination, when most people thought Vietnam was a minor annoyance that would be quickly solved, Sgt. Eddie Birdlace(River Phoenix) and his pals have landed in San Francisco. Birdlace has to find the ugliest date he can to Bring to the "Dogfight". The Dogfight is a party where Marines bring their "dates", and the one with the ugliest date wins. This seemed believeable to me because of the time the movie was set in (1963). Birdlace settles on Rose Fenney, played to perfection by Lily Taylor. I wont delve too much more into the story, but the love that devlops between Fenney and Birdlace is something to behold. Birdlace ships out and returns to a very different San Francisco in 1967. This movie was barely released, and I cant understand why. It was an excellent one. The soundtrack was superb, but I cant seem to find it anywhere.

DOGFIGHT - The ultimate love story!
Dogfight is a simple story set in a complex time(early '60's/ Vietnam War time). River Phoenix and Lili Taylor are both phenomenal in this low budget film directed by Nancy Savoca. It is set in 1963 San Francisco, four Marines are out on the town for thier last night of fun before shipping out to Okinawa. They have arranged a "dogfight", a contest where the Marine with the ugliest "date" wins. Little did Eddie Birdlace(Phoenix) know, he would find true love in Rose Tinney(Taylor), his "date" for the contest. This movie is the most realistic, touching, and darkly humorous love story I've ever seen. I saw it for the first time several years ago and fell in love with it. Phoenix gives his best performance, next to My Own Private Idaho, in this film, and Taylor hers next to I Shot Andy Warhol. This film also has a great soundtrack, lots of folk music not normally used in early '60's period films, though it must be out of print because I can't seem to find it anywhere. This film didn't see a wide release and is fairly hard to find in rental stores, but it is well worth your time and money to get it. If you like the everyday, run-of-the-mill, romance films, you will love this extraordinary one. It's fresh and new, not like the more commercial films of this genera. It is definately a must have for River Phoenix or Lili Taylor fans.

One of the Best Films Ever!!!
I saw this movie for the first time about a year ago and i just fell in love with it. It is a love story set in the Veitnam war era that has, as with all great love stories, love, unknown futures and an uncertain outcome. If you want a change from all of those stupid "new age teen romances" movies then I would definatly recommend this movie. It really does diserve the 5 star rating!

Takes Your Breath Away
This film is one of my favorites. I have enjoyed a lot of River's roles but none like the lovesick marine he plays in Dogfight. He and Lili Taylor have excellent chemistry that makes this the perfect date film.

The film starts with Eddie Birdlace AKA Birdlegs ( Phoenix ) reminiscing about the night before he left for the Vietnam war. We learn about his three marine friends who help him form the Four B's. The last night before they leave they embark on a traditional girl hunt called " Dogfight ". The object is to find the ugliest woman you can find and bring her to the marine's dance so she can be judged on. If your date is the ugliest, you win money. Sounds cruel? Well it is. Anyway, Eddie finds quiet, innocent slightly plump and unique-looking Rose ( Lili Taylor ) at her mother's diner. He's attracted to her singing more than her figure. He ropes her into accepting his invitation to the dogfight. Seeing how Rose doesn't have many dates she jumps at the chance to be with the handsome marine. At the dance Rose learns of the horrible reason Eddie invited her. Eddie makes it his mission of the night to apologize. By this time he really likes her. She allows him to take her for a night on the town in which the two fall hopelessly in love. They end the night very romantically and Eddie leaves to hook up with the other B's so they can leave for the war.

This movie is one of the most touching I have ever seen. It drug out many emotions. I was angry at how cruel Eddie could be, but at the same time I felt sorry for him. I realized he didn't know any better. The turning point was how Rose was able to show him that his faults may not have been visible as hers, but were actually worse. The acting was wonderful. Lili and River did a great job and they fit the parts beautifully. Taylor is always a breath of fresh air and is one of the most underrated film stars. This is another movie that saddens River fans because unfortunately he is no longer with us. Dogfight was River's best film in my opinion. It's a love story that tugs at your heart and opens your eyes. It's a film for everyone to enjoy. And for the record, Lili Taylor is prettier than most. The sad thing about this film is that " dogfights " are real. But this movie allows the culprits to see how their victims feel. Lili Taylor is a true winner in this one. Enjoy.

great movie
Lily Taylor is great in this movie. Captures San Francisco of another era. ... Read more