LAWN DOGS (1997)

Cast

Plot

This latest offering from John Duigan ("Sirens", "Flirting") is arguably his most substantial effort to date. A sardonic study of the friendship between an 11-year-old girl and a handyman (Sam Rockwell) more than twice her age, the film skilfully avoids degenerating into low-budget Lolita-ism. Indeed, Mischa Barton's emotionally starved schoolgirl, Devon, seems to be the only character oblivious to Rockwell's not unconsiderable physical attractions. An intelligent, engaging insight into small town small-mindedness.