Andrew Sandoval
Staff Writer
Review
Southern-fried culture hits the big screen in Black Dog, a working-class action-drama that wallows in predictability.
The teaming of University of Houston alumnus Patrick Swayze, country-crooner Randy Travis and schlock-rocker Meatloaf, though, provides for an unusual but interesting cast.
Truck driver Jack Crews (Swayze) wishes to break free from the tyranny of his bosses (Graham Beckel and Meatloaf), both of whom make his life impossible. When Crews moves to Atlanta and is about to start truckin' for the first time, the audience knows action is in store.
Black Dog delivers enough accidents and explosions to please action-loving crowds. Stunts done with cars and trucks are not completely innovative, but some tricks are good enough to maintain attention for a few minutes. The movie's main appeal stems from these slam-bam scenes.
Unfortunately, action alone cannot hold this film together. Important revelations are discovered early in the movie, leaving little to the imagination or the storyline.
Crews is a stoic, clever man and an excellent truck driver, but Swayze's expressionless face and lack of dialogue add nothing to the role. Surprisingly, Travis and Meatloaf give two of the best performances. Travis' Earl is a man with a sarcastic sense of humor who speaks his mind and wants to become (what else) a famous country songwriter and singer. In a few scenes, Travis, who also co-produced the film's soundtrack, almost steals the spotlight from Swayze, but his secondary role keeps his talent at bay.
Brian Vincent (Wes), Charles Dutton (Agent Ford) and Stephen Tobolowsky (Agent McClaren) work well in supporting roles, providing the film with much-needed depth and humor. Their brief moments on screen give Black Dog a shot in the arm.
Black Dog has some of the characteristics necessary for a good movie, but it never seems to take off. Most of the actors give reliable performances, but the script by William Mickelberry and Dan Vining limits their abilities. A more in-depth development of characters and plot is necessary for this Dog to pull off its leash and come out swinging.