A dour ex-con, eager to quickly gain the funds to help his estranged family, agrees to aid his hyperactive and none-too-bright cousin in a burglary. However, the heist goes awry, leaving the would-be robbers to face a gun-toting homeowner who isn’t eager to accept their apologies.
Kieran Valla’s short film takes a well-worn formula and manages to pepper it with surprises and style. The script, co-written by Valla and Dan Smock, is quirky and unpredictable, and the performances by Dan Burns as the veteran hood and Drew Osborne as his dimwitted cousin are fresh and vibrant. Kudos are in order to Daniel Marks for his crisp cinematography and Andrew Mittleman for the sharp editing.
“Hangdog” was created as an American Film Institute thesis, but it has a professional vibe that makes it a highly satisfying experience.
