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Wiener-Dog follows the ‘adventures’ of the titular dachsund from him being introduced to us via the opening dysfunctional family (Tracy Letts and Julie Delpy) who buy him, through to concerned vet’s assistant Dawn (Greta Gerwig), plus others including film school teacher Dave Schmerz (Danny DeVito) and an elderly woman played by Ellen Burstyn.
With a disparate set of stories and great, unassuming performances from all the cast, particularly DeVito, who doesn’t make a huge amount of films in his later years, and whose character clearly isn’t at all satisfied with his life, it’s interesting, offbeat, wacky and ultimately, it’s weird at times.
This is a road movie with no ‘plot’ to describe other than telling how the animal’s escapes pan out, but there’s a definite curiosity about this film, and I would certainly say it’s worth watching. There’s elements that will make you laugh (including the intermission – and you’ll know why when you see it), and some that will shock. I can’t say whether it’s wholly satisfying, however.
Wiener-Dog is released on DVD only in the UK, although a Blu-ray was released in Germany.
Note: This review is just for the film only.
Wiener-Dog is released on Monday on DVD, and click on the packshot for the full-size image.
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 88 minutes
Studio: Spirit Entertainment
Year: 2015
Format: 1.85:1
Released: January 23rd 2017
Rating: 6/10
Director: Todd Solondz
Producers: Megan Ellison and Christine Vachon
Screenplay: Todd Solondz
Music: Nathan Larson and James Lavino
Cast:
Remi: Keaton Nigel Cooke
Danny: Tracy Letts
Dina: Julie Delpy
Dawn Wiener: Greta Gerwig
Brandon: Kieran Culkin
Jose: Rigoberto Garcia
Luis: Haraldo Alvarez
Jose Luis: Dain Victorianio
Tommy: Connor Long
April: Bridget Brown
Video Game (voice): Curran Connor
Warren: Charlie Tahan
Dave Schmerz: Danny DeVito
Garrett: Patrick Caroll Jr
Ariadne: Molly Gay
Jiminiy: Tyler Maynard
Dwight: Devin Druid
Phillips: Sharon Washington
Tseng: Andrew Pang
Peter Jacobson: Trey Silver
Dr. Farhard Rahman: Samrat Chakrabarti
Tara: Anna Baryshnikov
Carol Steinhart: Ari Graynor
Director: Kett Turton
Zeno: Trey Gerrald
Lina: Clara Mamet
Rafa: Katherine Reis
Police Officer: Alexis Suarez
FBI Agent: Ted Beckler
Nana: Ellen Burstyn
Yvette: Marcella Lowery
Zoe: Zosia Mamet
Fantasy: Michael Shaw
Young Nana: Melo Ludwig
Street Vendor: Scott Martin (uncredited)
Kristy: Jen Ponton (uncredited)
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.