In the current era of Hollywood, where corporate calculations dominate the film industry, it is increasingly difficult to find films that can be described as "personal". However, two decades ago, such films were much easier to find, and one notable example is Lords of Dogtown, a 2005 sports biopic directed by Catherine Hardwicke. The film's personal aspect is attributed to Stacy Peralta, the screenwriter, who has proven himself as an accomplished documentary filmmaker in the early 21st century. Peralta's screenplay is autobiographical, as he had previously covered the same subject in his 2001 documentary Dogtown and Z-Boys.
The plot of is set in 1975 in Venice Beach, California, also known as "Dogtown", where three teenage friends - Jay Adams (played by Emile Hirsch), Stacy Peralta (played by John Robinson), and Tony Alva (played by Victor Rasuk) - spend their free time skateboarding. Their friend and surf shop owner, Skip Engblom (played by Heath Ledger), supports their passion. Due to a draught that emptied Californian pools, the trio, known as the Z-Boys, experiment with new moves that revolutionise skateboarding and turn it into an extreme and exciting sport. As they gain fame, their friendship is tested by the temptations and instant fame that come with it, eventually leading them to part ways.
The film was initially meant to be directed by David Fincher, who served as an executive producer instead. Catherine Hardwicke, who took over the directorial duties, demonstrated her enthusiasm for the subject and directed the skateboarding scenes with great energy and flair. The film's 1970s setting was meticulously reconstructed, adding to its authenticity.
However, Hardwicke struggled to overcome the limitations of Peralta's script, which reduced the protagonists to easy archetypes and filled the film with clichés and sentimentality. As a result, the film may not be interesting to viewers who are not particularly fond of skateboarding.
The acting in the film is solid, with Emile Hirsch and Heath Ledger delivering standout performances. Ledger's portrayal was praised by some critics for resembling Val Kilmer's impersonation of Jim Morrison in The Doors.
Despite the popularity of skateboarding, the film did not perform well at the box office, and the reviews were mostly mixed. However, Hardwicke's direction in Lords of Dogtown was impressive enough to earn her the opportunity to direct the first film in the Twilight saga three years later.
In conclusion, Lords of Dogtown is a watchable film, but its lack of depth and overly sentimental approach make it less engaging. For those interested in the origins of modern skateboarding, it is recommended to explore the subject through documentaries rather than this film.
RATING: 4/10 (+)
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