Cinematic universes usually go one of two ways, and we’re not talking about interconnected, Marvel-style variety. Quentin Tarantino’s movie universe is a pretty good example, replete with nods and connections to previous characters and films that never quite overshadow his stories. Other movie universes can get too self-satisfied —see some of Kevin Smith‘s lesser films. One filmmaker who toys with the concept of a confined movie universe, but who flips it on its head and really does whatever the hell he wants with it is Todd Solondz. He has played with the deconstruction of identity and perception for quite some time, arguably starting with the little-seen “Palindromes,” which had several different actors of different age, race and gender playing the same character, a young girl. Then with “Life During Wartime,” Solondz tracked many of his favorite characters from his seminal films “Happiness” and “Welcome To The Dollhouse” but each were played by entirely different actors.
READ MORE: Review: Todd Solondz’s ‘Life During Wartime’ Is A Bizarre Extended Epilogue That Works
Solondz flirts with the same idea again in his latest dark comedy “Wiener-Dog,” which tracks the life of a dog as it is passed through the hands of many owners, one of them being Dawn Wiener (Heather Matarazzo) from “Welcome To The Dollhouse.” While “Palindromes” began at Weiner’s funeral, the grown-up character is played by Greta Gerwig. Here’s the synopsis from Sundance, where the film premiered earlier this year:
Wiener-Dog tells several stories featuring people who find their life inspired or changed by one particular dachshund, who seems to be spreading a certain kind of comfort and joy. Man’s best friend starts out teaching a young boy some contorted life lessons before being taken in by a compassionate vet tech named Dawn Wiener. Dawn reunites with someone from her past and sets off on a road trip picking up some depressed mariachis along the way. Wiener-Dog then encounters a floundering film professor, as well as an embittered elderly woman and her needy granddaughter—all longing for something more.
Featuring Kieran Culkin, Danny DeVito, Ellen Burstyn, Julie Delpy and Zosia Mamet, “Wiener-Dog” opens on June 24th. Watch the new trailer above.
