Hounddog

Movie review by Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
Hounddog Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

Notorious Dakota Fanning indie too adult for kids.

R 2008 102 minutes
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 16+

Based on 5 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this controversial independent drama has been discussed for more than a year as "the film where Dakota Fanning gets raped." Although the scene in question is far less graphic than the hype suggests, a heavy coming-of-age drama that deals with rape, racism, and family dysfunction isn't likely to appeal to teens (or, thankfully, Fanning's many even younger fans). In addition to the notorious rape scene, someone uses the "N" word against an African-American man, a woman is bitten by a rattlesnake, a man is struck by lightning, and a dog is shot. There's also some underage drinking and smoking and mild sexuality.

Community Reviews

Matt B.
Matt B. Adult
October 28, 2015
age 16+

Dakota Fanning's first adult role

This movie shows Dakota Fanning getting raped and masturbating but nothing explicit.
wonder dove
wonder dove Adult
March 30, 2013
age 14+

Average Elvis-themed '50s flick.

This movie isn't too bad, but a tad boring. It's mostly set in a country setting where children have to make their own entertainment without TVs and CD players in the '50s. It's very Elvis themed with lots of songs and a little girl (Dakota Fanning) who's pretty much obsessed with him and his music while living with her grandma and dad trying to cope with her mother leaving. When there's a concert in town, she gets offered tickets by a couple of boys who have more in mind than just seeing her sing. Her life seems to fall apart from there on. Sexual content has a young girl removing her clothes for some boys (nothing shown), then getting raped which shows her face and hands and a few screams. Skimpy outfits. A girl has a first kiss with her best guy friend. Violence includes the rape scene, a man gets hit by lightening that changes his life forever, snakes bites and gun shots, a dog getting killed. Language is very mild for our time but "bad" in the 50's with racial words and a few other common name calling. Smoking by adults and kids. I would not recommend this for children under 15.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In the Deep South in 1959, 12-year-old Lewellen (Dakota Fanning) loves Elvis so much that she can't stop singing -- or dancing -- like him. When she and her best friend, Buddy (Cody Hanford), discover that the King is going to give a concert in town, she's desperate for a ticket. Unable to score money from her mean father (David Morse) or rock 'n' roll-hating grandmother (Piper Laurie), Lewellen reluctantly agrees to do her "Hounddog" act for a teenage boy who promises tickets but has evil intentions. After she's brutalized, Lewellen loses her will to sing or live.

Is It Any Good?

Fanning is clearly talented beyond her years, but this unremarkable coming-of-age story isn't the best showcase for her acting gifts. Director Deborah Kampmeier reportedly drastically altered the second half of HOUNDDOG since she submitted a rough cut that garnered mediocre reviews and general outrage at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. Without having seen the earlier cut, it's impossible to tell whether the changes made the film better, but one thing is clear -- the infamous rape scene is neither explicit nor exploitative. The scene, in which viewers hear more than they see, is a story development used to show how a pre-pubescent Lewellen is figuratively and literally silenced -- until a sage African-American caretaker (Afemo Omilami) helps her discover her "true voice" via the blues.

Unfortunately, the movie's metaphorical message lacks the intended emotional punch because it's so overpowered by banal Southern stereotypes (hissing snakes, a Bible-thumping grandmother, an emotionally abusive father, to name a few).

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why this film is considered controversial. Is it because a young girl is assaulted or because Dakota Fanning is assaulted? Why do you think Fanning chose to take a role like this? Do child stars "owe" their younger fans anything in terms of making family-friendly movies? Families can also discuss Lewellen's love for Elvis' music. Critics have said that the filmmaker used Elvis as a symbol for how art can help people transcend/escape their troubles. Is that the movie's message? What about Lewellen's behavior -- was it risky? And how is race dealt with in the film? Why is it important to keep the setting and time period in mind?

Movie Details

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