How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog

I’m not sure how I missed this movie in the theater, but I’ve watched it several times since receiving it. It’s hysterical. And I can so relate because I hate barking dogs. To clarify, I realize there is a place for dogs and they serve a purpose, and I generally like dogs who don’t immediately head for my crotch the second they see me. But barking dogs, well, see the movie and know that I agree that nothing is worse than being kept awake by one.Mostly the movie is about acceptance. She wants a baby, and he feels about babies the same way he feels about barking dogs. But, no suspense here, that all changes when he actually meets a child, and falls in love with her. He realizes kids can be great, and funny, and interesting, and smart, and that, surprise, you can learn from them because they are not jaded yet.Sweet movie, and can be watched over and over. My kind of movie.

In writer/director Michael Kalesniko's HOW TO KILL YOUR NEIGHBOR'S DOG, Branagh is an LA-based playwright who was hot in the '80s but has written only flops recently. Wife Wright wants a baby, which renders Branagh impotent, perhaps intentionally. He's miserable, can't sleep because of a neighbor's barking dog, is a chain-smoker and is in rehearsals on a new play, one that's still being written and fought over by cast and fey director. Wright's mom (Redgrave), who's apparently dying a piece at a time and is often quite incoherent, lives with them.When a single mother moves in next door, Branagh and Wright become attached to her daughter, a girl with mild multiple sclerosis. Finally, there's Branagh's doppelgänger, a weirdo stalker who wanders near the house at nght. This oddball really, really, really thinks he's the playwright. When Branagh meets him one early morning, he becomes friends with this wannabe. It all sounds strange and it is, but this is also a dark comedy filled with hearty laughs.Highly recommended.Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 IMDb viewer poll rating.(6.8) How To Kill Your Neighbor's Dog (Germany/USA-1999) - Kenneth Branagh/Robin Wright/Suzi Hofrichter/Lynn Redgrave/Jared Harris/Peter Riegert, David Krumholtz/Peri Gilpin

In writer/director Michael Kalesniko's HOW TO KILL YOUR NEIGHBOR'S DOG, Branagh is an LA-based playwright who was hot in the '80s but has written only flops recently. Wife Wright wants a baby, which renders Branagh impotent, perhaps intentionally. He's miserable, can't sleep because of a neighbor's barking dog, is a chain-smoker and is in rehearsals on a new play, one that's still being written and fought over by cast and fey director. Wright's mom (Redgrave), who's apparently dying a piece at a time and is often quite incoherent, lives with them.When a single mother moves in next door, Branagh and Wright become attached to her daughter, a girl with mild multiple sclerosis. Finally, there's Branagh's doppelgänger, a weirdo stalker who wanders near the house at nght. This oddball really, really, really thinks he's the playwright. When Branagh meets him one early morning, he becomes friends with this wannabe. It all sounds strange and it is, but this is also a dark comedy filled with hearty laughs.Highly recommended..Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 IMDb viewer poll rating.(6.9) How To Kill Your Neighbor's Dog (Germany/USA-1999) - Kenneth Branagh, Robin Wright, Suzi Hofrichter, Lynn Redgrave, Jared Harris, Peter Riegert, David Krumholtz, Peri Gilpin

This is my first review of this film. One day in 2012 I forgot I had reviewed it, and reviewed it again! Decided to leave both reviews up. I must really like it, huh? Very biting, funny--also some poignant, bittersweet moments. Kenneth Branagh is just wonderful in the role of a playwright struggling with his new play, his wife's desire for a baby, his irritation about the dog next door, and the fact that he is being "stalked" by a harmless, sad-and-looney doppelganger! Some of the film borders on the crude, but it never becomes really offensive. The lead character evolves in the film and that is nice to watch. There's a little-girl-next-door character that interacts with the Branagh character and with his wife, played by Robin Wright. That's the heart of the movie, and the child actor's performance is a joy to watch. Finally, the Petula Clark songs brighten and enhance the film, and Lynn Redgrave is very good as Kenneth Branagh's mother-in-law, losing her memory and slowly fading away. Don't miss this one.

My second review of this film. A funny, charming, poignant film about a self-involved writer's journey to becoming his better self, a MENSCH.Kenneth Branagh has the role of a lifetime, if only the world knew about it. It's one comic utterance after another. Follow the zingers going back and forth between him and the TV interviewer who clearly is annoyed that he is getting the upper hand. FUNNY.There's a sweet relationship that develops between Branagh's character and the little girl next door, sweet but not mawkish, no heavy-handed direction here. Gradual and realistic evolution of the hero is on display here. Apparently this film did not get good distribution, otherwise it would be better known. Robin Wright and Lynn Redgrave give fine performances as well. I like this film so much, I am STILL trying to get my sister and niece on the West Coast to view it. They don't know what they are missing.

Love this guy in Shakespeare movies. Loved him in that ghost thing with Robin Williams too. But this is garbage. He's written crapola. Dialogue is hack. It's predictable and slow the characters are ridiculous. No one is properly cast or used. Who gave him money to make this?

Subject says it. One of my favorite movies these days, but it may have something with them making fun of MGs, and if you're a Jared Harris fan, it's one of his first roles.

This is a great film if you want to put your feet up and have a relaxing night in.You'll smile throughout and laugh out loud now and again but what really makes this film is a great performance from Jared Harris as the slightly mad man who steals Peter McGowan's (Kenneth Branagh) identity. Everyone else involved does a great job and the script is just right for the film.

No subtitles, sorry can,t understand American accentRuth

I've not known Kenneth Branagh do a bad film. I watched this little-known film purely because of him, but was impressed not only by him, but by the other cast members, and by the writing. It is billed as a light comedy, but turns out to be a sensitive observation of human nature, with a touching central theme.I think maybe the title puts people off. Their loss.

Sorry, not my taste, and expectations. Therefore not fair to review it.

Normally love Kenneth Branagh, but the plot was turgid and the characters far from engaging. I'm afraid this one is going to the charity shop. Hope they don't mind!