In the new film “”Sleeping Dogs Lie,”” by comedic genius and “”Jimmy Kimmel Live”” director Bobcat Goldthwait, protagonist Amy reveals a secret to her fiancǸ.
The film dances between romantic and gross-out comedy as all of the people around Amy react to the revelation of this deep, dark secret involving her in college, some alcohol and, well, a dog. “”Sleeping Dogs Lie,”” nominated for the Sundance Film Festival’s Grand Jury prize, takes an unashamed look at the effect total honesty can have on relationships.
The entire film was shot in sixteen days around LA while “”Jimmy Kimmel Live”” was on hiatus. Much of the props and set decorations, in fact, were borrowed from JKL and the actors and crew were all pretty much friends, said Goldthwait.
“”We made the movie for no money,”” he said, adding that “”just using a crew that were all either good friends or kids from Craigslist, and we shot in everyone’s houses and apartments.””
Goldthwait said that the comedy the film contains is much like his own stand-up. “”I start out by saying something really terrible and then spend the next hour trying to dig myself out of the hole.””
“”Sleeping Dogs Lie,”” which changed its name from “”Stay”” after another movie of the same name was to be in release around the same time, is actually the third film from Goldthwait.
“”If given the choice,”” he said, “”I would happily never act again.”” He enjoys directing much more and said that he is very happy with how the film turned out.
In regards to the finished product, he said, “”there are a million things that I would do differently if I had had more time or money, but as far as the general tone, and the performances, I’m really happy.””
Goldthwait’s career has consisted very largely of TV and stand up, but he would like to pursue filmmaking further. Although he has many other scripts and ideas, he still believes that “”you just never know.”” As he explains, “”I’m always convinced that I’m on the verge of being a bag boy at the Price Chopper again. Hopefully I’ll get to direct more, but if not at least I have mad bagging skills to fall back on. No, I’m kidding. I was a terrible bag boy.””
“”Sleeping Dogs Lie”” will be playing Saturday at The Loft Cinema. The special engagement will include a question and answer session with Goldthwait and will begin at 9 p.m. Bring your deepest secrets along with you.
