Both films explore different modes of perceiving the world, adopting points of view of people that don’t quite fit, but seem to possess some kind of world changing, redemptive, distinctive, yet self-effacing superpower.

And both films are blessed with 2 of the best finales that ever graced the big screen – unexpected but absolutely earned, inspired and inspiring, as jaw-dropping and exhilarating as a just discovered hidden treasure you didn’t go searching for and never knew you needed.

Reviews:

“A compelling, thought-provoking, hardly groundbreaking but lovingly crafted film.” Caroline Rees, Empire

“Australian director John Duigan’s best films have dealt with the passage from childhood to adolescence, and here, in his first US film (from British producer Duncan Four Weddings Kenworthy), he maintains an atmosphere where dream is a short step from nightmare. Quirkily haunting.” DW, TimeOut

“Artistically speaking, John Duigan’s entirely U.S.-lensed drama about a privileged 10-year-old Kentucky girl’s odd friendship with a working-class young man is something of a mixed bag, with its blend of child’s fantasy, class politics, stylized social satire and startling… Intelligent and well acted, this new effort from hot British producer Duncan Kenworthy (“Four Weddings and a Funeral”) will attract a certain following among serious audiences.” Todd McCarthy, Variety

“Lawn Dogs is the greatest movie you’ve never seen. [It] is essentially a drama, although it contains a healthy dose of many other film genres. There’s some great comedic moments, adventure, father-son relationships, and even some crude (but funny) toilet humor. The film is clearly set in the “real world”, but some fantasy elements creep in at the most unexpected times, and the surprise twist ending is particularly chilling and inspirational” ReelReviesChicago