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Dogfight

Name: Dogfight
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: 1991-10-04
Cast: River Phoenix, Lili Taylor, Richard Panebianco, Anthony Clark, Mitchell Whitfield

1991 | 94 min | Drama, Romance

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (83% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for romantics. If you loved Coming Home or From Here to Eternity, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood: Warm and romantic.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 34 min.
What might put you off: Rated R: meant for adults.
Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

In the fall of 1963, Eddie Birdlace is an 18-year-old Marine Corps volunteer who is about to ship out with three of his buddies for a tour of duty in Vietnam. Planning a massive blowout for their last night in San Francisco, Eddie, his buddies, and a number of other Marines set up a contest they call a "dogfight”.

How it earned its rating

CriticsStrong
83% on Rotten Tomatoes
AudiencesSolid
6.9 out of 10
AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
Box office & staying powerWeak
$398K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 73K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Nancy Savoca

River PhoenixEddie Birdlace
Lili TaylorRose Fenny
Richard PanebiancoBerzin
Anthony ClarkOakie
Mitchell WhitfieldBenjamin
Holly NearRose Sr.
E. G. DailyMarcie
Sue MoralesRuth Two Bears
Christina MastinLinda
Christopher ShawDonavin