Dogman

Dogman is an Italian drama film directed by Matteo Garrone, released in 2018. The movie revolves around the life of Ugo Pugliese, a boy growing up in a small town in Rome, Italy. Ugo, portrayed by Edoardo Pesce, is an isolated and troubled youngster who has grown up under the harsh and unforgiving care of his intimidating father. At the beginning of the film, Ugo is shown to be a bit of a loner, often subjected to his father's cruel treatment. Ugo escapes into the company of dogs, which provide him with a sense of companionship and comfort that he lacks in his home life. He becomes particularly close to an injured dog that he nurses back to health, and begins to take in and care for stray dogs that roam the neighborhood. As Ugo's affection for dogs deepens, his bond with them helps him to heal and find his place in the world. Among his canine companions are Rocky and Marc, both of which Ugo takes on and trains. His affection and care for the dogs lead to the beginnings of a working relationship with a mysterious figure, Sommerso, who functions as an underground dog-fighting operator in their neighborhood. The figure of Sommerso is drawn in by Ugo's unique relationship with dogs. Despite his rough demeanor, Sommerso takes an interest in Ugo's abilities and opportunities begin to open up, placing Ugo squarely into the dog fighting world. As Ugo begins to earn money through the dog-fighting operation, he gradually escapes his traumatic childhood with the support of Sommerso and his dogs. However, as Ugo delves deeper into this particular world, his actions start to threaten his relationship with the boy next door, Oreste. Oreste's strong moral compass brings tensions to Ugo's world, leaving Ugo to decide between the care and protection provided by his dogs and the more secure life offered by Sommerso and the dog fighting world. Garrone's narrative draws a complex picture of Ugo's situation, casting Sommerso as both a figure of redemption and a manipulative oppressor. As tensions collide, Sommerso's dual sides reflect the twisted realities of Ugo's complicated past and the possibility of redemption, resulting in a grim and powerful climax at film's end. Shot on location in Rome, the powerful use of visuals brings this tumultuous world to life in Dogman. For a work so set in violence and darker subject matter, Garrone develops an emotionally charged relationship with dogs, allowing for an ultimately powerful narrative of escape from trauma through love. With his unique portrayal of isolation and Ugo's escape through his own resourcefulness and love for animals, Garrone brings to the big screen a powerful study of resilience. As it draws to a close, Ugo's plight has left viewers questioning the reliability of those providing some degree of comfort. It leaves open the ambiguous realization that Ugo may still have his chance to reconcile the violence and trauma that defines him, with redemption still within his grasp.