'Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight' Review - A Strong Adaptation Of An Award-Winning Memoir

Geek Vibes Nation

a day ago

Longtime actress Embeth Davidtz, known for her role as Mary Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man films, makes her directorial debut with Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, a stunning adaptation of the award-winning memoir by Alexandra Fuller. The film follows the Fuller family in 1980 Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) during the latter stages of the Bush War. The film is primarily shown through the eyes of eight-year-old Bobo (Lexi Venter), with a large portion of the runtime being narrated by Bobo, and portrays a harrowing depiction of both her family life and the greater conflict of Rhodesia.
The power of this film comes from writer-director and star Embeth Davidtz, who plays Bobo's increasingly alcoholic mother, Nicola. Her performance is incredibly impactful and shows that the ongoing conflict in Rhodesia isn't the only thing that the Fullers have to worry about. The Fullers live on a farm and struggle to get by as it is, let alone the threat of being ambushed on the road or running into the wrong people at the wrong time. Nicola, alongside her husband Tim (Rob van Vuuren), works at the police reserve in addition to tending to their farm, leaving little time to watch over Bobo and her siblings.
Bobo develops a relationship with a Black family within walking distance from the Fullers' farm, barging in with no notice almost every day. Sarah (Zikhona Bali) and Jacob (Shilubana N. Fumani) oscillate between embracing her presence and becoming anxious about her visits. The racial barriers between them complicate what young Bobo considers to be a great friendship with their family. The tensions of this bond stretch and stretch as the film goes on, but Bobo's childlike wonder and innocence bring a sweet element to the bitter reality surrounding the situation.
The movie is at its best when the characters are interacting, and it leans away from its child narrator. I understand the need to gain insight from the protagonist, but it takes away from the emotional journey the Fuller family and those around them are on together. The source material has a singular perspective, but it doesn't quite translate as well to the screen. The scope is almost too limited by this perspective, not offering a clearer view of the small world surrounding the Fullers, and little light is shed on the war as a whole. Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight is an incredibly faithful adaptation, but this is to the film's detriment.
Even with the limited scope, the story packs a devastating punch. Bobo's adventures and continual turmoil highlight the effects of war on poor families like the Fullers. Her parents are anxious about the outcome of the war and putting food on the table, leaving Bobo to explore on her own. This can be dangerous and lead to some tense situations, but none more tense than being around her mother when she's at her worst. Davidtz's performance is heartbreaking and raw, begging the audience to empathize with her character. She adds nuance to a character that can often be one-note, just slurring words and stumbling around. Nicola is more than this, taking her drunken states to deep depression and anger indicative of more than just someone having a little too much to drink here and there.
There's a particular scene where she and Tim are hanging out with some friends, and she turns on some music, dancing alone through the room as everyone else remains seated. As she dances, she pulls up her skirt a little too much for Tim's comfort, almost sinisterly daring him to do something about it. This small moment reveals so much about their relationship, that Nicola could fly off the handle at any moment. This dynamic between her and her family is the crux of the film, and ultimately takes it from being okay to good.
Embeth Davidtz's debut feature is fairly uneven, but her strong performance covers many of the pacing and script issues at play.
Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight will debut exclusively in theaters in NY and LA on July 11, 2025, courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics. The film will expand to additional markets in the following weeks.