Hounddog Review: The Dakota Fanning Rape Movie?

It’s pretty much unheard of for the public to informally rename a movie. But Deborah Kampmeier’s Hounddog was so plagued by scandal even before its debut at Sundance, sparked by charges of twelve year old Dakota Fanning’s sexual abuse in a movie about her character’s sexual abuse, that the film itself got lost somewhere in the media scuffle.

It’s reported now that since the clamor at Sundance, Hounddog has been reedited for public consumption when it opens in theaters this fall, though the new version remains fairly graphic. And while the sexualization on screen of a twelve year old actress is dismissed by the filmmakers and some anti-rape organizations as irrelevant because the film is intended to focus on a grave social crime, one hand washing the other is not the point.

For instance in contrast, Towelhead, a far more graphic film about the sexual exploitation of a thirteen year old Arab-American girl, stars an actress in that grueling role (Summer Bishil), who is actually 20 years old. And so ironically, because Bishil is an adult but can convincingly play a young teen, the crime in question can be more explicitly dramatized and more effectively spur associated outrage.

In any case, Hounddog’s questionable issues are more numerous than Dakota’s sexual exploitation as a young actress, despite stellar ensemble performances from a distinguished cast. The setting is rural summertime Alabama in the mid-1950s in a racially mixed community. Dakota Fanning is Lewellen, a poverty stricken girl in a dumb and dumber stereotypical Southern white trash milieu, being raised by a stern religious grandmother (Piper Laurie) and an often absentee boozing dad Lew (David Morse). Lewellen’s mother has passed away, though we never learn why or when, and Lew has brought home a mysterious new girlfriend (Robin Wright Penn), much to Lewellen’s displeasure, referred to only as Stranger Lady.

Lewellen spends the summer hanging out with her best friend Buddy (Cody Hanford), swimming in the local lake and bartering kisses for a peek at his crotch, when not drinking beer with Lew and Strenger Lady, and doing suggestive Elvis gyrations to the tune of Hounddog. Lewellen, who appears to have a vague precociously promiscuous reputation in the community, is also consumed by Elvis worship. And when word comes that he’ll be performing in town, she’s ready to do nearly anything to get hold of a ticket.

The notorious rape scene in question, which is actually discreetly conveyed, is possibly the least disturbing aspect of Dakota’s performance. Much of her sexualized role is initiated by the female character herself, rather than a case of passive victimization. This comes suggestively close to the warped, widely held belief in this country, that women bring rape upon themselves by being too sexual.

Then there’s the matter of the rarely glimpsed black community, shadowy underdeveloped characters who are mostly seen in stereotypical fashion, getting together to play the blues, or altruistically alleviating white people’s woes. In fact Lewellen’s other best friend seems to be Charles (Afemo Omilami), an adult blues musician and stable caretaker who also, for some largely unexplained reason, eagerly volunteers for the male black mammy role in Lewellen’s life, as her devoted savior.

Now, this is the Jim Crow South, lest one forget while watching the movie, where while the Klan was terrorizing black people and lynching black men just for looking at white women, Charles is tending to victimized white females, including Stranger Lady, in his bedroom, and saving them from snakes slithering all around the community. By now you may be more than thinking Black Snake Moan, but let’s not even go there.

The one high point in this narrative, which is never adequately developed and begs for more, is when Charles enlightens Lewellen that Elvis is shamelessly ripping off black music, and the original Hounddog by Willie Mae ‘Big Mama’ Thornton. And Jill Scott’s all too fleeting incarnation as Thornton doing Hounddog, is the seemingly inadvertent, glowing centerpiece of the movie.

It appears that what films about the South most lack, is a genuine sense of what’s real about those regions. And not the usual preconceived, outside looking in perspective.

Empire Films

Unrated

2 stars

Hot this week

Did David Wineland and Serge Haroche Steal Idea For The Nobel Physics Prize?

Dr. Omerbashich says the Royal Swedish Academy is a Crime Scene and he has the proof that Nobel laureates stole his discovery.

New Approaches to Disaster Relief Challenges

Disaster relief has always been a challenge. NASA, Google,...

3 Legitimate Money Making Methods to Supplement Your Income

In a perfect world, when your landlord raises your...

2016 Predictions by World Renowned Medium and Psychic Lindy Baker

World renowned medium and psychic Lindy Baker is interviewed by The Hollywood Sentinel, discussing psychic power, the spirit world, life after death, areas of concern in 2016, and much more.

Digital Coupon Customers Spending More Than Double At Stores

A new study shows that customers who use digital coupons go shopping more for groceries and other household goods more often and spend more on their shopping trips.

Kamala Harris Presidential Campaign Paid Millions to Celebrity Production Companies Despite Denials

Waste and political funding in focus, revelations show the failed Kamala Harris presidential campaign funneled big funds into celebrity production.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Confirmed as HHS Secretary in 52-48 Senate Vote

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed as Secretary of...

Somalia Launches First Youth Football Development Center

Inaugurated by the president of Somali Football Federation, Mr. Ali Abdi Mohamed, the new youth football development center began its operation in the city of Baidoa on Thursday 13th of February 2025.

Tulsi Gabbard Confirmed as U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Meets with Indian PM Modi

Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence The U.S. Senate confirmed...

Why Is Kendrick Lamar Dissing Drake Now?

Kendrick Lamar and Drake once shared a collaborative spirit, but tensions simmered in 2013 with Lamar's bold verse on "Control." What followed...

The History of Palestine: Ancient Civilizations to Today

From the ancient settlements of Jericho to the emergence of the Canaanites, the origins of Palestine reveal a rich tapestry of cultures. But what mysteries lie hidden in its sands, waiting to be unearthed?

DIY Garden Projects: Creative and Budget-Friendly Ideas

Transform your backyard with stunning DIY garden projects that elevate your outdoor space—yet one unexpected challenge remains...

Omri Hurwitz Media Adds New Clients BridgerPay, Marble Law, Canditech, Among Others

In a world where digital storytelling and media presence...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img