MovieChat Forums > Dogfight (1991) Discussion > Lili mentioning River

Lili mentioning River

posted 12 years ago by margotdashwood
10 replies | jump to latest

I've seen some people ask about the relationship between River and Lili and I just happened to come across this interview for anybody curious: http://www.avclub.com/articles/lili-taylor,38701/
You might need to scroll down a bit.

It doesn't say a whole lot, but I think it says enough to give some uh closure? for those that were asking, maybe.
But I am curious about how you guys interpret her thoughts?

"I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart!"

[–] violetbelle 12 years ago

Cool! Thanks.

[–] canada22 12 years ago

Lili said that the part was hard for River because he was such a hippie, but that does not mean that she thought his performance was not good. I think that River did an excellent job. The movie that started off so cruel ended so sweetly. I love this movie.

[–] Bree_33 12 years ago

"He was such a hippie"

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[–] ellie246 12 years ago

Sounded like River was a bit of a bastard to poor Lili, (he was a bit of a method artist wasn't he?), and to me seemed completely out of his depth in this role and it shows on screen.

Lili seemed completely at ease and stole the film completely, (even though she was the one who looked hideous and had the most to lose), but River never seemed to look or act comfortable in this film and Lili's comments seem to prove that?

I don't think they became friends or anything, but according to Savoca's commentary, they got on better as filming went on. Lili's probably just like the rest of us, sad the way things turned out for him but nothing more than that.

[–] Hopeagain 12 years ago

I disagree with the comment about the role being out of his depth. River probably gives one of his best performances in this, it was sheer genius because it is so against type. You are missing the nuances in the way he played the role. He was playing a Marine trying to cover up the fact that he was scared s**tless and going off to war with machissimo and tough talking.

That was the beauty of the film, that these 2 very different but equally awkward teenagers find a commonality an affinity on that one night.

Lili Taylor was superb and almost all of their scenes together were beautifully acted. They are both actor's actors and took their parts very seriously. I would like to think they respected and liked each other all said and done.

[–] caller85071 12 years ago

I agree with Hopeagain. River was great in the role.

Having grown up in a military town(mostly Marines), River really captured the essence of being a young Marine. I've come across plenty who are very similar to Birdlace.

One of his better performances that doesn't get recognized as much as others.

[–] ellie246 12 years ago

Well, Lili was there, she says he wasn't comfortable in the role, so I'll believe her.

On his performance, we'll agree to disagree. The more I watch River, the more limited I thought he was, although very good in those limits though.

River was right, Joaquin is the real actor of the family.

[–] caller85071 12 years ago

Many actors get into characters who are opposite of them or behave in ways that the actor never would in real life. Even if he wasn't comfortable with it, I think he still found a way to get into that character. In his biography, Lost in Hollywood, someone mentions that River got so into character that it took him a few weeks to completely shake off the Marine mentality.

We will just have to disagree, because I thought he pulled the role off very well.

[–] coastin_on_a_dream 10 years ago

I 100% disagree as well. River was excellent in Dogfight. He was a fantastic actor.

[–] spasticfreakshow 8 years ago

agree with those who believe river's performance was wonderful in this, as always. if you read about the phoenix family, you hear that they really were hippies. i had the great luck of meeting river once (only celebrity i ever met in the US) - we were both about 16 and my best friend in high school was with me. we got to hang out with him alone in the pouring rain (in tenafly, nj) for almost half an hour, in the middle of a shoot. i always wondered how he went back into the house so soaked to continue shooting. he was such a sweet and down to earth guy. i imagine this role being out of his natural range but that's probably why he took it - for a challenge. i think he really cared about getting into character and getting each part right - and that he generally succeeded extremely well, from a young age. that is why the world appreciates his loss, and not just his family and fangirls, who would have forgotten him before now had he not been such a talent.

i also adore most of joaquin's performances.