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Cast: Rook Kelly, Jaquelyn Xavier
A guilt and shame ridden mentally unstable young man wears a dog mask in order to cope.
"Waldo The Dog" is an Independent film from Writer/Director Kris Canonizado. As the film opens we are witnesses to some brutal acts including murder and rape from a man whose face we never get it see, we then get to see police reports that says the man was following/stalking the woman before the actual hideous act. The film switches to the man now being homeless and he now wears a dog mask and refuses to talk which subjects him to ridicule and abuse from punks on the street. His only dream is to become a professional wrestler and he makes a sign and begs for money on the street to pay for his lessons but no one at the gym likes him because he simply isn't ever good. Waldo also still follows the young woman home from work whom he raped, one night when two men attack her Waldo comes to her rescue by beating the hell out of the men and tossing them in a dumpster, he then carries the girl home but when she awakes she gets frightened and chases him out of her house. The following evening the young woman whose name we find out is Jaquelyn finds Waldo sleeping in his usual spot and tells him she is sorry and offers him some food. The two quickly strike up a friendship which is both awkward and disturbing considering this was the woman he raped. The film is two hours and a lot happens in that time but to go deeper into the story would only ruin the film for those wanting to see it so I will avoid giving away major details. As their relationship grows it seems that Waldo's confidence grows as well and it shows even in the gym when he begins to get more physical which gets him tossed out of the gym for hurting the other wrestlers. Later a few of them jump Waldo and beat him up pretty bad, he goes to Jaquelyn's house and she suggests he stay there with her.
"Waldo the Dog" evokes many emotions during it's run time, it's moods change which makes it impossible to pigeonhole into any one genre. The film is certainly disturbing but it is also at times funny, sad, sweet and moving but in the end it is a tragic tale. The film has an almost documentary feel which gives it a very realistic look. Every single person you see in the film did an amazing job playing their parts but the film's two main leads, Rook Kelly who plays Waldo and Jaquelyn Xavier who plays Jaquelyn are simply amazing, hopefully these two young actors find a ton more work because their acting here was simply brilliant and they both show great chemistry together. Waldo is a unique cinematic experience that demands to be seen, I am not going to say the film will be for everyone but if you're a fan of Independent cinema then I highly recommend supporting this gem. You can order the DVD HERE.
This is the kind of film that quickly gains a cult following and for good reason, the script is cleverly written, the cast is fantastic and the film pulls you into Waldo's messed up world and doesn't let you go till the bitter end..a must-see, a must-own!!
***** Out Of *****