Walker Payne was definitely one of the better independent films I’ve screened recently. However, due to the graphic nature and realism of several dog fighting scenes along with a number of racy sexual situations, it did not sit to well with many film distributors. After its debut release in 2006 at the Tribeca Film Festival, Walker Payne fell on deaf ears and remained unnoticed until its recent release this past August.
Before continuing on with this review, I would like to mention that I do not condone dog fighting of any kind. I think its entirely inhumane and cruel and as a owner of a pitbull terrier myself, I would never think of throwing him in a ring for the enjoyment of others or for the benefit of myself.
Continuing on, I wanted to mention that dog fighting was certainly not the focal point of this feature. At no point in this film did I ever think that they glorified the “sport” of dog fighting, and although it was just a movie, I’d be lying if I told you that some scenes weren’t hard to stomach. (my wife got up and left after the first dog fight) The fights are fairly long and drawn out, but it’s this reality and ugly side of human nature most people tend to dismiss out of ignorance or just plain insensitivity. I was actually glad someone had the courage to write a script based on it, and graphically show how it not only hurts the dog itself, but how it can damage human relationships directly as well.
The biggest strength to this film was its great cast and their exceptional performances. Jason Patric in particular put on an outstanding performance as Walker Payne, and I really felt the emotions his character conveyed and the desperation in his heart. Drea de Matteo, Katie Strickland, and Sam Sheppard also put on excellent performances and I was pleased with their overall character development and the dialogue among the entire cast.
There was one thing that did irk me about this film and ultimately kept me from giving this film a five-star rating. Its abrupt ending. I’ve never been fond of open ended films and would have liked a bit more closure. Especially in a film as good as this one. Overall however, I would highly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys a good drama. Its definitely a film most can appreciate.
Synopsis:
Desperate circumstances force a man to make a terrible choice in this period drama. It’s 1957, and Walker Payne (Jason Patric) is a good but troubled man who struggles to keep his appetite for whiskey and women under control for the sake of his two daughters after breaking up with his wife (Drea de Matteo). Like most of the men in the small Illinois town he calls home, Payne provides for his daughters by working in a nearby coal mine, and when the mine suddenly closes, jobs become all but impossible to find. Payne’s money problems come to a head when his ex-wife, who has decided to leave town and attend nursing school, demands 5,000 dollars or otherwise she will take custody of their children and he’ll never see them again. Opportunity comes to Payne in the form of Syrus (Sam Shepard), a charming but unscrupulous man who offers Payne the chance to make some big money fast. Syrus runs an illegal dog-fighting circuit outside of town, and he’s certain Payne’s pooch Brute, a good-natured but massive animal, has the stuff to be a champion. Can Payne sacrifice his loyal canine friend to maintain the custody of his daughters? Walker Payne also stars Bruce Dern as Walker’s friend Chester and KaDee Strickland as Audrey, a divorcée with an unpleasant past who falls for Payne. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide