smatysia This film was mildly amusing, but hardly funny. Giovanni Ribisi seemed like a young Woody Allen with the depressing life situation. (That is not a compliment) To use an overused cliché, this film is what it is. It was never meant to laugh-out-loud funny, but wry, and I guess it was. Ribisi's character was annoying, but I'm sure that was also deliberate. There was solid acting up and down the cast. Kudos to Lynn Collins with whom I am unfamiliar. She is beautiful, and her character, however unfulfilled, is unlikely to ever be attracted to Solo. Also to Sarah Shahi, also major eye candy, who seems to have done this film before some of her more noted television work. Scott Caan's character was also deliberately annoying, but he deserves some credit for for competent and unobtrusive direction. Overall this film is okay...

jimrin This film is so underrated. Yes, it helps if you love cute dogs, but I would have rated this as a fairly entertaining comedy until the end. No, not the very end, but the last scene with Don Cheadle. Don asks Giovanni why he gave the dog away. Now Giovanni's character was one who probably his entire life was so messed up, neurotic, self-consumed but probably most importantly self-destructive... and finally, he sees clearly what matters the most. And the answer is not himself. Brilliant. Giovanni Ribisi, Don Cheadle, Lynn Collins, Mena Suvari, and even Scott Caan do a good job in this film. I feel a bit sorry for Giovanni and Scott as they probably don't get the recognition I feel they deserved in this effort. (Scott wrote and directed it.)

Rich La Bonte (flatrich) I've been following Giovanni Ribisi's career since the 80s because I love character actors and this guy has always been a great character actor and I came across The Dog Problem in the cable listings and thought: "Giovanni Ribisi in a lead role?" Now I gotta wonder why no one has cast him in a lead before this? Anyway, see this movie! It's one of those great little films you'll never forget and everybody in it is fantastic and Scott Caan (who wrote and directed and co-stars) made all the right choices here. (Mark Mothersbaugh does the music and Phil Parmet shot it - that didn't hurt either.) Trust me, this movie is no dog!

jotix100 Solo, a depressed young writer, is told by his analyst to get a dog; this way, he will not feel as lonely. Little does he know that everyone he meets wants to have the dog! Solo's life in Los Angeles is dull up until the time he decides to buy the dog in a shopping mall. Solo is not prepared for the work and the responsibility of owning a puppy, let alone trying to keep it to himself.This dark comedy was written and directed, as well as acted by Scott Caan. We were impressed by his "Dallas 362", his debut as a director. "The Dog Problem" shows a talented Scott Caan who no doubt will go to do better things, although this is not a movie for everyone since the material will be enjoyed by some audiences and hated by others.The best thing in the picture is, without a doubt, Giovanni Ribisi, who runs away with it. This actor keeps surprising us. He is not exactly a matinée idol, yet, he is always an interesting figure in any film in which participates. Scott Caan has a small role as a photographer. Lynn Collins, Mena Suvari, and the excellent Kevin Corrigan, are seen in minor roles.