Bark! (2002)

It is a performances centric movie

Excellent but underrated film

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

Anyone who longs to enjoy life must learn to live with limitations-- emotional limits, intellectual limits, physical limits, and so on. Each of us has the potential for personal growth that promises to increase our-- emotional stability, intellectual capacity, physical agility. It is inevitable that we will face situations that will test or break our limitations. When it happens, we'll gain firsthand knowledge of the adage: "The straw that broke the camel's back."The proverbial straw pushes a woman's (Heather Morgan) sanity beyond the limits of her emotional normalcy. As a result, she believes she's the family's pet pooch! Bark! shows the agony of breaking the boundaries of one's emotional limits. Through the use of well-timed and strategically placed flashbacks, the director (Kasia Adamik) unfolds the story of an emotionally wounded person who is losing her grip on reality. Each flashback provides a peek into the progression of pressures that damaged her psyche so deeply that she transformed herself into a dog. They also reveal the origins of her habitual barking. Not for nothing, it isn't easy to train a dog to stop nuisance barking. One quick trip to PetSmart for a High Tech Bark Terminator 3 bark control collar would remedy her incessant barking. A few jolts from it and the movie's title would be meaningless.Her husband (Lee Tergesen) struggles to comprehend what is happening inside the mind of his life-partner. POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT: I was extremely frustrated by the husband's reluctance toward committing his wife into a mental health facility. The character was deeply despaired and willing to try anything to aid his ailing wife. Sure, I get the joke in regard to finding a veterinarian to treat his pet wife.Bark! is funny in a subtle, comical way. Bark! is sad in a sullen, painful way. Most of all, Bark! is entertaining in a caring, thoughtful way. So, as the daily pressures of life begin building up, take a step back, and review your limitations--then ask yourself: "What is my barking point?"

I really enjoyed this film on several levels. I work in the mental health field, I love dogs (had them all my life) and I was a one time roommate of the creator (20 years ago). Although I'm a little bias, I thought this was a great first effort. I'm very proud of Heather and to know her a little makes this flick that much more enjoyable. The content and writing was very enlightening. I especially like the acting. Vince and Hank had their usual flairs of brilliance and Lisa was very charming. I thought Lee and Heather stole the movie. I was a little sad to read some reviews, but to hell w/ critics. She deserves better. Heather's humor and wit is evident throughout the whole film as well. I hope she keeps up the excellent work and look forward to her next venture.

Having seen the film "Bark', I can but wonder why it has been classified as a comedy. Rather I found it to be a tragedy or perhaps a comment on instinct and human nature. What happens to the very thing that allows a person to communicate? The film answers this question in a way. The cast was capable, but were secondary to the main conflict I think. There was a good deal of discussion about "Bark" in this household and while there were few agreements, it was felt that this film was worth a look. Vincent and Hank seemed to remain true to their on-screen personas as did Lisa, although I have no idea why anyone would watch a film based soley upon her modest talents. Nevertheless, she did her part in this strange but thought-provoking film.

I like comedy. And this is a very funny film. But it is much more than just a funny film: it wraps into humor much deeper problems and situations. The characters face choices which will define their humanity, or lack there of. It deals with shame of mental ilness and remorse and love and how we can even survive all this in our crazy and lonely little word. Watch out for Vincent D'Onofrio's and Liza Kudrow's hilarious wacko perfomances. And for a very touching Lee Tergesen. Watch it.