Lawn Dogs [DVD] [1997]

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Starring Sam Rockwell and Mischa Barton this is in fact the last film that Rank actually made. A perfect, magical movie about a friendship between an emotionally isolated young girl in a ritzy, phoney neighbourhood, and a shunned, blue collar worker. In this touching tale of friendship against adversity the 10 year old Devon Stockard (Mischa Barton) and her parents (Kathleen Quinlan and Christopher McDonald) have just arrived in the exclusive gated community Camelot Gardens. Unlike her practical and ambitious parents Devon likes to be alone in her own imaginary worlds and whilst exploring outside the fence she stumbles upon the trailer of Trent (Sam Rockwell) a 22 year old lawn dog who mows the lawns for a living. Even though he is taunted by the rich college kids of the insular community an unlikely yet fulfilling friendship blossoms between the two outsiders. When the townsfolk misunderstand this innocent relationship and Trent is wrongly suspected of being a child molester, it is down to Devon to fight the suspicion and paranoia and find the strength to try to save him. 10-year old Devon Stockard (played by Barton) is new to Camelot Gardens, an up-market housing development. Unlike her socially ambitious parents, she likes to be alone in her imaginative world. She stumbles upon the trailer of Trent, a 22-year old lawn dog who mows lawns for a living, even though he is taunted by the rich college kids. Slowly, an unlikely and fulfilling friendship is born between the two outsiders, that is actually completely innocent, but given the child-adult nature of the friendship it is obvious that it would be unacceptable to the residents if they were found out. ...A pointedly whimsical film.... It shows off a poised young actress and a leading man with charisma to burn... -- Janet Maslin, New York Times "...Duigan reveals the truth and humour of growing up in a sheltered, unforgiving suburbia... -- Christine Spines, Premiere "...Beguilingly offbeat....Rockwell emerges as a compelling actor..." -- Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times