Cert PG
76 mins
BBFC advice: Contains references to child death
In common with many people, the first time Laurie Anderson entered my consciousness was with her 1981 hit O Superman.
Her song was one of the weirdest I had ever heard but it was like hypnosis for the ears -I was compelled to listen to it over and over again.
What I had not realised was that Anderson was already a leading force in underground art and has continued to be since her one hit wonder.
With O Superman as my background knowledge, I should not have been surprised that her movie, Heart Of A Dog, should be one of the strangest I have ever seen.
But this time, Anderson did not hypnotise me. Instead, she first had me scratching my head to try to understand her concept and then just bored when I realised I couldn't.
Heart Of A Dog is worth two marks alone for the piano-playing antics of Anderson's pet, Lolobelle.
As far as I could gather, much of this movie is attempting to see the world through Lolobelle's eyes and then reflects on Anderson's devastation when she passes away.
It includes real footage of the dog, punctuated with references to Anderson's grief post-9/11 and for her deceased mother.
The documentary could be described as complex but, just as easily, self-indulgent, It wanders off into reveries which only Anderson herself could inhabit.
Frankly, it was so far over my head that I had to replay the first 20 minutes to try to find the same plane as the director.
I didn't and was relieved when the 76 minutes were over.
Reasons to watch: if you are a combo of dog lover and very arty
Reasons to avoid: most of us won't understand what the heck is going on
Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 2/10
Star tweet
Had a truly life-enhancing night at the movies with Poppy thanks to @CentralPictureH and @OnlyAnExpert. More please?
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