User Reviews

"Lie Down With Dogs" probably only exists because it was a product of the mid-90s, and as such has become a bit of a time capsule of an era that is now long gone, for good or ill. In the early 90s entertainment with gay themes began to capture the interests of straight viewers; "Philadelphia," "Priscilla Queen Of The Desert," "The Crying Game" and the PBS mini- series "Tales From The City" were all successful and proved to Hollywood that there was money to be made in "gay cinema." The sole motivating factor in Hollywood is making a buck; suddenly gay meant cash, and there was a flood of gay-themed movies. Most of them were pretty terrible, some of them ("Broken Hearts Club," "Jeffrey," "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss," "To Wong Foo") had bigger budgets and tried hard, and sometimes succeeded. The main thing Hollywood created was content: for the first time in history, there was an abundance of gay-themed films that took the subject matter more or less for granted-- these were not stories about perverts, degenerates and losers, the homosexuals of these films were heroes.

Nowadays it's hard to imagine how a film like "Lie Down With Dogs" would get any attention at all. Gay-themed films are the "B-movies" of the day, micro-budgeted without much distribution, but there are scads of them. Most of them are, like "LDWD," fluffy, forgettable and mostly fun, low on budget, acting or story but entertaining enough--like a trashy summer read. "LDWD" in particular shows a time when gay men looked a certain way, acted a certain way and thought certain ways...just listening to the soundtrack is like hearing a time capsule of what the 90s *sounded* like.

I picked this movie up for a dollar out of curiosity recently and found that what the movie is "about" was of little importance--that it isn't about a conflicted gay man trying to come out in a straight world or writhing in shame is the significant thing. That it's a mindless comedy about a young man on the prowl for love makes it no different than thousands of rom-coms made for straight people, which is also significant. There are now dozens of such movies to choose from but that wasn't always the case, and in a weird way makes "LDWD," which is NOT a particularly good film, a bit of a landmark. Also too the fact that the "author" of the film seems to have passed away lends the film a bit of significance, or at least poignancy; all the bubble-headed, insatiable, selfish characters in the film would now be a good deal older as would be the target audience for this film, gay men in 1995. The 90s are gone, the world has changed and "Tommy" and his buddies would have passed the torch to a younger generation of egocentric P-Town tourists by now. It makes the film seem almost sad somehow, in that light. I would be surprised if anyone even remembers this movie at all in another 10 years (or even today), and that's not the end of the world, but as a time capsule of a different era I think it's rather thought-provoking.

I was somewhat disappointed after seeing Lie Down With Dogs. I had a friend tell me that it was hilarious and that I would love it. I don't think "Love" is the word to describe how I liked the film. While it wasn't a complete waste of time, it wasn't a really good use of my time either. I love to see new gay themed movies coming out more and more often. However, when making a gay themed movie it is a good idea to develop your characters to some extent and have some plot. Just making a gay movie for the sake of making a gay movie is not a good enough reason. There are some funny moments in the film but overall the acting is really bad and there is really no story. Again, I don't advise NOT watching this movie, as I know some who thought it was hilarious...just don't go into it with really high hopes.

Ok, I know just about everyone claims that the most recent bad film they've seen is the worst movie ever made. Well, it's been a while since the 1995 release of Wally White's ode to self-absorption "Lie Down with Dogs," and the film still ranks as the worst gay movie devoted to celluloid, and an atrocity on all levels. Here's 10 reasons why the film makes more sucking noises than a Hoover upright: ***1. Our "protagonist" (and I use that term VERY loosely) waxes unpoetically at the beginning of the film about how sucky New York City is, so he packs up and moves, haphazardly, to Provincetown, MA for the summer. Once there, he does nothing but berate the place for not being New York. Go figure. ***2. The film was obviously shot during P-Town's off-season; the summer resort looks more like an old-west ghost town. ***3. We're supposed to feel a sense of connection and brotherhood with Tommy, the lead character. Yeh, right. It's probably unintentional, but White's alter-ego is a whining, self-obsessed doink who is about half as attractive as he thinks he is. I'm supposed to root for this guy to fall in love? I found myself rooting for this guy to be hit by a bus. ***4. The film is extremely offensive to minorities. White tries to be funny, but instead manages to insult everyone from recovering alcoholics to men over 40 to Jamaicans. Even the latino pretty boy is (gasp!) lazy... one of a bazillion stereotypes perpetuated by this wreck of film. ***5. White's summer vacation is boring. I had more exciting stints at summer camp as a kid. ***6. The writing of this film is amateurish through and through. What's meant to be funny is just obnoxious, and what's meant to be touching is cloying. The characters are flat, the plot is nil and there's no dramatic rise to what little story exists. ***7. The director makes the assumption that all gay men aspire to be pumped-up pretty-boy airheads, dancing in their speedos. No, thanks, I'm driving. ***8. Cinematically, the film is poorly constructed. The editing is bad, the camerawork is bland. The movie looks like someone grabbed a camera for the first time and thought, "wow, I'll make a movie." ***9. Did I mention that the lead character is self-absorbed and obnoxious? ***10. The worst offender of all: the utter horror of the "Square State Theory" scene. This little gem sees Tommy as he unfolds his hypothesis that you can tell a guy from a square-shaped state by his tacky wardrobe, lack of dancing expertise or general ugliness. To make matters worse, he actually points out several of these hapless losers out while pontificating from on high in a crowded dance club. ***Can you tell how offended I was by this movie? As a guy from a relatively square state, I have news for Wally White... first, you might be part of a minority, but this kind "better than thou" behavior isn't far off from what fueled such lovely historical eras such as Nazi Germany. Secondly, those square-state guys are PEOPLE... they may know how to point and laugh, too, but things like self-contentment and decency usually stand in their way. Me, I guess I'm not so decent, so I have no shame or reservation when I tell you: your film is mean-spirited and just plain bad.

Tommie, a fairly unattractive young man (by the usual Hollywood standard of gay film characters at any rate) with a dead-end job handing out fliers in New York, an occupation not normally associated with people who use an American Express card as he does, decides to head off to Provincetown to join in the gay life there. Although it's meant to be a summer adventure, many of the background shots of Provincetown imply it's actually late fall or winter and that Provincetown is a ghost town.

The object of his quest isn't entirely clear because much of the film is given over to him traipsing about from guest house to guest house seeking employment as a house boy and, somewhat incidentally, looking for someone with whom to form a relationship. He rejects making any attempt to meet the one guy who everyone else regards as the best catch out there and who, by the end of the film and too late in the summer stay, turns out to be quite a nice, intelligent person. I guess the lesson to be learned is that one shouldn't prejudge others or that one should seize opportunities when they present themselves.

Most of the people he meets, whether gay visitors or locals, come across as weird and display some of the worse gay stereotypes, in some cases verging on the venal or psychotic. At least one gay stereotype … that they all possess a fashion sense …is laid to rest. Tommie's wardrobe often suggests he's auditioning for the lead in a revival of Leave It to Beaver. His pursuits of employment and a relationship are a disaster, but despite lengthy periods of un- or under-employment he has his American Express card to keep him going. I wonder where the monthly statements are sent.

There are some mildly amusing moments, but for the most part the film drags on and on with no apparent point or direction other than to imply that most gays are low-life types and that the people of Provincetown form a colony of weirdos. I'm not sure if the rather preposterous title, Lie Down With Dogs (and you get up with fleas) refers to this subset of humanity, but I'm pretty sure Tommie brought along his own fleas.

Unlike some other reviewers, I wouldn't say it's the worst gay film ever … that's a pretty crowded field … but I can't think of any reason to recommend that anyone bother to watch it. I notice this is Wally White's only venture into film making, for which we can all be grateful.

LIE DOWN WITH DOGS was reasonably popular with gay audiences for about fifteen minutes in 1995, but God only knows why. A more abrasive set of overworked stereotypes can scarcely be imagined.

Tommy (Wally White) arrives in Provincetown with no money, no job, no place to stay, and grandiose ideas of the good times to be had at a gay-popular summer destination. Needless to say, one misadventure follows another: lecherous would-be employers, pot-smoking landlords, a snaky Latin lover more interested in Tommy's cigarettes than in Tommy himself. But the film is a great deal less interesting than it sounds.

In theory, LIE DOWN WITH DOGS satirizes the youthful gay party scene. In practice, however, it plays out in the manner of a particularly charmless Saturday morning cartoon. Written and directed by Wally White himself, the film seems to exist chiefly in order to showcase just how relentlessly unfunny and aggressively obnoxious White can be.

Now and then an occasional supporting player, a script idea, or a line of dialogue sparks the film to life--but such moments are too few and too far between to jolt this dog to life. Give it a miss.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

The lighting was bad, the dialog was stiff, unnatural and awkward, the camera work was jumpy and distracting, the sound was in and out, and the acting was terrible.

There was nothing redeeming about this movie. Given the cheesy blue screen work (a montage P-Town scenes behind an actor as he marches/struts in place instead of actual film of the actor walking down a street), I should not have expected much, but this disappointed even my limited hope.

Low budget films have been done in the past - and done well (Clerks), but this one feels and looks schlocky. After watching it, you feel that your 8 year old niece or nephew could have done better with the family camcorder. What amazes me is that Miramax picked it up and released it.

A real obnoxious guy (Wally White) decides to leave his job in NY and spend the summer in Provincetown MA and find Mr. Right.

OK--this is LOUSY. For starters--every gay stereotype is trotted out to go through its motions. Second, there's no plot. Third, ALL the characters are obnoxious. Fourth, I've been to PTown--this was obviously shot off season and it REALLY shows. Fifth, almost no one can act. Sixth, did I mention the main character is really obnoxious? Seven, all the "comedy" is lousy. A particularly bad sequence is White picking out dancers from square states (don't ask).

The ONLY bright spot here is Randy Becker. He turns in the sole good performance and is VERY hot (to put it mildly)! But he also plays a real jerk.

Basically one of the worst gay films ever--maybe THE worst! I wish I could give it a 0--it's not good enough for a 1!

I didn't expect a classic, but I cannot imagine how this film was made. There is no plot, poor acting, and an abundance of cliche gay people. The only redeeming value in this film is Darren Dryden who played Ben. I am surprised to have found it in Blockbuster's very limited selection of gay films. There are so many of quality they don't carry.

I agree that this movie is not all that great..some of the acting is lame and production quality pretty poor. However, if you've ever lived in Provincetown for any period of time, particularly a summer, this movie is chock full of inside jokes and experiences that certainly happen in this eccentric part of Cape Cod. Come visit and watch it again.

The lowest that I can go on this rating scale is one?

Needless to say, December 31, 2006 will go down in history for me. Me, my friends and I were in prep to celebrate what was a successful year - only to be horribly distracted by this heinous excuse for a film.

(In fair disclosure, I haven't finished this movie. I am, in fact, writing this review as the movie plays and sends otherwise happy guests running for the door to their "next party.")

To make a long story short, despite the films creative use of popular dance-club tracks as Danny Tenaglia's Bottom Heavy and Smooth Touch's In My House (oh... and Generate Power... OK, and The Pressure... one more, the Witchdoctor (whilst neon penis' flickered) in the opening credits), I've never seen such a plot less farce. Do not, under any circumstances, watch this movie.

If you see a copy for sale, purchase it - send me the movie and a copy of the receipt. I will reimburse you for it and make sure that it has been destroyed. Bad acting; bad cinematography; somewhat fierce soundtrack. Don't, don't, don't, don't.

Sure it was low budget, and it was produced, written, directed and starred a single person with questionable acting skills, but it is a good story. I think the incredibly cheap effects were done on purpose.

Wally White as Tommie is the creator of the entire flick, and his supporting cast appear to be characters of people we all know. The film seems to be an advertisement for Provincetown summer vacations. One thing I liked is the actors all appear to be real people that we could meet on a summer vacation, not polished Hollywood types.

Just don't take the film too seriously, and if you have an hour and a half to kill, it can be an enjoyable time.

I read a lot of bad reviews of this movie and I saw it 2 times in almost 4 years, but it remains not funny. Well, I have to admit, some things are really original, but that doesn't mean it's well performed. The actor's couldn't act and the director is the star is the producer is the screenplay writer! This picture was doomed to fail, because only Welles and Tarantino can do this. If you're planning to direct a movie you've written and payed for, and acted in, fine, go ahead, but don't show it to people outside your family.

But I don't want to write too many bad things about this (cult?!) movie. This picture is good because it's bad and that's the reason you should see this film: to watch and learn how you shouldn't make movies. And if you watch it when you're happy, you can see that the clichés were showed for a reason.

That sums it up.

Just when I thought this movie couldn't get any worse, this "economic" montage came on - trying to convey a passage of time via floating heads and graphics. I don't think anything from 60s hand-held-projects ever looked so cheap and stupid.

I understand Wally White did the up-and-coming filmmaker finance-thing by charging a lot of this movie's expenses to his credit cards.

I'd like to think he has to repay this cinematic exercise in futility over the course of his life - but I don't think the budget for this train-wreck could possibly top $10,000.

Wally White is an amusing actor and he also directed this film which I had to raid my attic for. It shows every stereotype of what the world likes to think of as gay men, and given the date of its making in 1995 it has aged quite well. The whole action set in Provincetown works well and the place acts as a kind of microcosm of men in pursuit of sexual pleasure with other men, and a touch of romance thrown in. All of this is seen through Tommie's vision ( a nice touch this as it takes away the problem of it being politically correct or not,) and by doing this it is not objectionable. Tommie is cute and gullible and Wally White plays him to perfection. To be able to earn money to stay in this resort he searches for work as a houseboy. This clever plotline thin though it is shows us many different characters, as he never seems to find the place he is comfortable in and he also finds himself a dubious Latin lover. Why this film had a Restricted rating is beyond me and I have no idea why, and neither do I know why it was not ( to my knowledge ) brought out in the UK. A quirky film, but well worth seeing.

Alot of people are homophobic and I think they just only saw this as a "gay" film. I liked it alot and I thought alot of things in this film were very funny and interesting. After I saw this I had a much better understanding of gay people. The acting was ok and everyone in the film was very believable because gays love to have fun as even the most homophobic person knows. I still wonder what ever happened to the main Wally White. I checked his profile and I only saw this film, he's a really talented writer and actor and I hope to see him in some upcoming projects.

The movie is fun. Wally makes you wonder what to do with a summer... work or play... hmmm... PLAY of course! The characters are human and the relationships are predictable but, life is just that way sometimes.