If... Dog... Rabbit

A classic tale about an ex convict trying to better his life but finally succumbing to the temptation of making that last big score to put everything right. A slow starter but get's more involving as the story unfolds. The final part keeps you on the edge of your chair.

Matthew Modine was one of my favourite young actors back in the 1980s ('Birdy', 'Full Metal Jacket'), so I was interested to watch this, his feature length writing/directing debut. Sadly it doesn't live up to expectations.

Modine plays Johnny a recently released ex-con who must struggle starting a new, crime free life, encouraged by his parole officer, and ex best friend Gilmore (the wonderful David Keith - 'Brubaker', 'The Two Jakes'). Johnny gets a job at a garage on the outskirts of town run by McGurdy (legendary character actor Bruce Dern - 'The Trip', 'Bloody Mama', 'Silent Running'), but soon finds himself involved with his petty crim loser brother Jamie (Kevin J. O'Connor, 'Deep Rising', in one of his usual whiny roles), and Jamie's irritating girlfriend Judy (Lisa Marie, who after this and the abysmal 'Frogs For Snakes' should do the noble thing and STOP ACTING). Johnny must also come to terms with his father's betrayal (a miscast and unconvincing John Hurt).

Before you know it, the Cooper brothers are one the run, hiding out in Mexico and cooking up a plan to rob a bull fight. Anyone who has watched Kubrick's 'The Killing' can see what's going to happen next. That's the problem with 'If...Dog...Rabbit', we've seen it all before in movie after movie. The family loyalty vs common sense, the straight life vs the old ways. But Modine doesn't bring anything new to the table. At the end, it's "yeah, so that's it?". Not the kind of reaction one wants when making a movie I don't think!

Predictable, unoriginal, and dull. Better luck next time Mr. Modine.

There is tremendous character development in "One Last Score". Matthew Modine, John Hurt, Kevin O'Conner, David Keith, and Bruce Dern, all deliver excellent performances. The movie is almost dragged to a halt however, every time Lisa Marie opens her mouth. Her acting is so wooden, and character so miscast that she alone almost sinks what otherwise is a fine film. The bull ring caper and subsequent chase is somewhat rushed to conclusion, and the ending most certainly is controversial, somewhat like the final scene in "Cutter's Way". Other than Lisa Marie's performance, the movie is terrific. Seek this one out. You will not be disappointed. - MERK

Feel like rooting for the bad guy? Then rent this movie. I loved it. As an independent it doesn't have the polish of the big budget movies, but all the qualities of a good movie it has. It brought all the essential elements of the plot together to a very interesting, tense and suspenseful end. And yes, I was rooting for the bad guy.

If...Dog...Rabbit is an interesting crime-drama about Johnnie Cooper (Matthew Modine, who also wrote and directed this movie) a convicted felon just released on parole. Parole Officer Gilmore (David Keith) has warned him (and continues through the early part of the film) to stay away from his criminally minded family. Though Johnnie has resolved in his mind to lead a clean life, his father (John Hurt) and brother (Kevin J. O'Conner) could care less. In their mind once-a-criminal-always-a-criminal. Johnnie received his prison sentence when his father and brother left him "holding the bag" from a botched robbery, so his relationship with his father is estranged. From this basic premise, a series of incidents leads Johnnie unwillingly then willingly into another crime caper.

I love the dialog. Some of it is absolutely hilarious:

Judy, "Why was your father choking you Johnnie?" Johnnie, "We were playing a little game. Seeing how long I could hold my breath."

I replayed the movie again with my headphones on and no video; I paid more attention to the details of the dialog and it's importance as the movie reached its climax.

It's not a 10 or a 9 and I'm torn between an 8 or a 7.

Thank God for independent movie makers and offering viewers such as myself a wider choice.

Okay. 8 out of 10.

This movie was entertaining to watch with a script that was mostly well written however the violence was very graphic but the actors did a great job in their roles. The cinematography and special effects were also excellent.