Review of Dingo (1991) by Trent R — 03 Dec 2009

Not de Heer's best by any means, this Aussie-French co-production is an unsurprisingly uneven affair. But it does feature a fantastic soundtrack, and the opportunity to see Miles Davis on screen shortly before passing. The story is simple, and Davis' acting as an idealized version of himself is quite naturalistic and effective.

It opens with Miles Davis playing Billy Cross, emerging from a jetliner, (with TNT stenciled on the side) in the desert to give an offhand concert for the locals. This makes quite an impression on the young lad of the title who grows up to become Colin Friels.

So, dreams are pursued and expectations met. But Friels gives a highly sympathetic performance opposite the stoic Davis, and the early scenes of him playing in the spectacular Australian vistas pay off in the closing jam session at an intimate PAris jazz club.