Wiener-Dog

Comedy

A dachshund passes from oddball owner to oddball owner, whose radically dysfunctional lives are all impacted by the pooch.

The critical consensus

Todd Solondz returns to form with this portmanteau comedy that has serious bite.

(*) James Mottram, The List, 08/08/2016

Visually striking, very funny and with an undertow of pathos, the characters encounter disappointment in all its manifestations.

Geoffrey MacNab, The Independent, 10/08/2016

This is a gentler, less confrontational Solondz. It makes you laugh, but probably won’t leave you reeling after. Some fans of his might consider that a disappointment, others might find it a relief.

(*) (*) Olly Richards, Empire Online, 01/08/2016

The canine star of this deadpan black comedy, which also stars Danny DeVito, has a mute dignity that raises him above all the disillusioned humans in it.

(*) Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 11/08/2016

A very odd, outlandish concoction.

Allan Hunter, Daily Express, 12/08/2016

Uneven but intermittently lacerating and wry.

(*) (*) Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 12/08/2016

Director Todd Solondz finds an unusual way to link trademark tales of disease and disappointment, with good performances but mixed results.

(*) Wendy Ide, The Observer, 14/08/2016