Dogman (2018)

Detailed Summary

Introduction: Life in a Rough Neighborhood

Dogman is set in a grim coastal town in Italy, where the atmosphere feels as though hope has long since been drained out of the streets. The protagonist, Marcello (Marcello Fonte), is a gentle dog groomer who runs a shabby little shop. He’s small, wiry, and endlessly kind — especially to dogs, which he cares for with genuine love. But Marcello’s environment is hostile, dominated by criminals and desperation.

Marcello and Simoncino

Marcello’s life is overshadowed by Simoncino (Edoardo Pesce), a violent ex-boxer and local thug. Simoncino terrorizes the neighborhood and exploits Marcello’s passive nature. Marcello is often pressured into helping Simoncino with shady jobs — from small-time robberies to drug dealing. Marcello doesn’t like crime, but he feels trapped, wanting to avoid confrontation and, above all, wanting to be accepted.

The Neighborhood Turns Against Him

Simoncino’s violent streak escalates, and eventually, the neighborhood blames Marcello for enabling him. Marcello’s reputation is destroyed. People who once trusted him now see him as complicit in Simoncino’s cruelty. This betrayal of trust devastates Marcello, who only wanted to be liked and respected by his community.

Marcello’s Breaking Point

After enduring humiliation after humiliation, Marcello reaches a breaking point. His friendship with Simoncino was never real — only manipulation. The tension builds toward Marcello’s desperate need to reclaim some dignity in the eyes of the people around him.

Movie Ending

In the climax, Marcello decides to confront Simoncino once and for all. He tricks him into coming to the dog grooming shop and manages to overpower the much larger man. In a shocking twist, the timid dog groomer turns into a killer. He locks Simoncino in a cage and, after a brutal struggle, kills him.

Once Simoncino is dead, Marcello feels an unexpected sense of pride. He believes that by eliminating the bully, he will finally be seen as a hero in his neighborhood. He drags Simoncino’s lifeless body to the town square, expecting applause or recognition from his neighbors. But no one comes. The square is empty, silent, and indifferent.

The final moments of the film show Marcello, sitting alone, exhausted and defeated, realizing that his act of violence did not give him the redemption or love he longed for. Instead, it left him lonelier than ever. This haunting ending underlines the futility of violence and the tragedy of Marcello’s existence.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No. Dogman does not have any post-credits scenes. The story ends definitively with the bleak and poignant image of Marcello’s isolation.

Type of Movie

Dogman is a crime drama and psychological thriller with neo-realist influences. It blends gritty realism with symbolic storytelling, exploring themes of power, humiliation, and moral corruption.

Cast

• Marcello Fonte as Marcello
• Edoardo Pesce as Simoncino
• Nunzia Schiano as Mother
• Adamo Dionisi as Franco

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Michele Braga, known for subtle and atmospheric work. The music is sparse, often letting silence and environmental sound emphasize tension and realism.

Filming Locations

The movie was shot in Villaggio Coppola, a rundown seaside district near Naples, Italy. The bleak, semi-abandoned environment reflects Marcello’s emotional isolation and reinforces the film’s tone of decay and hopelessness.

Awards and Nominations

• Marcello Fonte won Best Actor at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
• The film was Italy’s official submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards.
• It received multiple nominations at the European Film Awards, including Best Film and Best Actor.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Director Matteo Garrone (of Gomorrah fame) based the story loosely on real events.
• Marcello Fonte was a relative unknown before the film but stunned audiences with his fragile yet powerful performance.
• Edoardo Pesce gained significant weight to portray Simoncino’s imposing physicality.
• Garrone used many non-professional actors to heighten the realism.

Inspirations and References

The film was inspired by the true story of Pietro De Negri, known as “Er Canaro” (the dog-keeper of Magliana), who in the 1980s brutally murdered a local bully. Garrone’s film doesn’t retell the story literally but uses it as a psychological and thematic foundation.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

While no official alternate endings were released, early reports suggest that the script initially portrayed Simoncino’s death in a more gruesome fashion, echoing the real-life crime. Garrone opted for a toned-down but psychologically heavier version to emphasize Marcello’s emptiness over gore.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Dogman is not adapted from a book but rather from true-crime events. However, Garrone filtered the story through a fictionalized lens, focusing more on Marcello’s psyche and the moral implications than on sensational violence.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Marcello lovingly washing a dog in his shop, showing his tenderness.
• Simoncino forcing Marcello into a robbery, where Marcello loses the trust of his neighbors.
• The climactic scene of Marcello killing Simoncino in the dog cage.
• Marcello dragging Simoncino’s corpse into the empty square.

Iconic Quotes

• Marcello: “I want respect.”
• Simoncino: “Without me, you’re nothing.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Marcello’s shop is filled with small dog statues and trinkets, symbolizing his need for loyalty and unconditional love.
• The recurring motif of cages (both for dogs and, later, Simoncino) reflects Marcello’s own sense of entrapment in his life.
• The seaside setting mirrors Marcello’s longing for escape and freedom, which he never achieves.

Trivia

• The film’s title Dogman refers both to Marcello’s occupation and his half-animal, half-human struggle for survival and dignity.
• Marcello Fonte’s performance was so powerful that some critics called him the “Italian Dustin Hoffman.”
• The movie’s budget was relatively small, but its atmosphere and acting made it internationally acclaimed.

Why Watch?

Dogman is a must-watch if you appreciate dark, character-driven dramas that explore morality and human weakness. It’s both disturbing and deeply moving, combining raw realism with operatic tragedy.

Director’s Other Movies

• Gomorrah (2008)
• Tale of Tales (2015)
• Reality (2012)
• First Love (2004)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Gomorrah (2008)
• A Prophet (2009)
• The Consequences of Love (2004)
• Taxi Driver (1976)
• Requiem for a Dream (2000)