How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog


1h 47m 2000

Brief Synopsis

As L.A's most, if not only, successful playwright, Peter McGowan has hit a creative and personal dry spell. After a string of flops, his new play is set to open, but his producer and cast insist the 10-year-old character in the story doesn't ring true. Challenged to develop a 'real' child for the pl

Film Details

MPAA Rating
Genre
Comedy
Drama
Release Date
2000
Distribution Company
Artistic License Films
Location
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 47m

Synopsis

As L.A's most, if not only, successful playwright, Peter McGowan has hit a creative and personal dry spell. After a string of flops, his new play is set to open, but his producer and cast insist the 10-year-old character in the story doesn't ring true. Challenged to develop a 'real' child for the play, he finds himself blocked. At home, his wife Melanie would like a child of her own, but Peter isn't ready for more distractions. Besides, his perpetually confused mother-in-law has moved in and dealing with her is yet another challenge. Peter also realizes he is being stalked - by a fan who thinks he's the real Peter. He reaches the brink of insanity when the neighbor's new dog starts barking in the night, exacerbating his insomnia. When a recently separated woman and her young daughter Amy move next door, Melanie recognizes an opportunity to assuage her husband's awkwardness with children. And Peter sees this as an opportunity to craft that 'real' child for his play.

Film Details

MPAA Rating
Genre
Comedy
Drama
Release Date
2000
Distribution Company
Artistic License Films
Location
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 47m

Quotes

Trivia

Miscellaneous Notes

Winner of Best Feature and Best First Film at the 2001 Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema.

Winner of the Audience Award for Best Feature at the 2001 Newport International Film Festival.

Released in United States 2000

Released in United States 2001

Released in United States April 2001

Released in United States June 2001

Released in United States May 2000

Released in United States on Video March 26, 2002

Released in United States Winter February 22, 2002

Shown at Avignon/New York Film Festival (in competition) in New York City (French Institute) April 16-22, 2001.

Shown at Cannes International Film Festival (market) May 10-21, 2000.

Shown at Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival October 16 - November 12, 2000.

Shown at Newport International Film Festival June 5-10, 2001.

Shown at Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema April 26 - May 7, 2001.

Shown at the French-American Film Workshop in Avignon, France (in competition) June 22-27, 2001.

Feature directorial debut for Michael Kalesniko.

Broadcast in USA over Starz! October 27, 2001.

Began shooting October 5, 1999.

Completed shooting November 17, 1999.

Released in United States 2000 (Shown at Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival October 16 - November 12, 2000.)

Released in United States 2001 (Shown at Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema April 26 - May 7, 2001.)

Released in United States Winter February 22, 2002

Released in United States on Video March 26, 2002

Released in United States April 2001 (Shown at Avignon/New York Film Festival (in competition) in New York City (French Institute) April 16-22, 2001.)

Released in United States May 2000 (Shown at Cannes International Film Festival (market) May 10-21, 2000.)

Released in United States June 2001 (Shown at Newport International Film Festival June 5-10, 2001.)

Released in United States June 2001 (Shown at the French-American Film Workshop in Avignon, France (in competition) June 22-27, 2001.)