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It's hard to imagine that "Cujo" has ever appeared at the top of any list of 'most popular dog names'. If it did, it was definitely before 1983, when a tense little horror movie of the same name emerged to ravage the audience before it.
Fitting plots 'into nutshells' is an abused term often bandied about to describe films of limited structure. But "Cujo" could be the exception - 'Dog goes rabid and kills people'. You don't need microfiche to stuff that into your average shell.
It's nice and simple, but it also presents problems when stretched to 90 minutes. It's a credit to director Lewis Teague that he crafts such a tense little thriller out of limited settings. Clearly his experience as a former editor for Roger Corman paid off in the efficient delivery of shocks that the film boasts.
The latter half of the film is set in an isolated farmyard, with the rabid and slavering Cujo prowling around a car containing Dee Wallace and her terrified young son. Obviously the vehicle has befallen the movie trap of low gas, dead battery, and additional mechanical failure. Perhaps Cujo just wants to help start the car, but his repeated assaults upon it are not appreciated.
Essentially, this should not be exciting for any more than five minutes. The setting is confined and options are few. But Teague wrings out a surprising amount of suspense, aided by Jan de Bont's fine cinematography.
Read about a little-seen Chuck Norris film where he performs with a dog.
Read about more performing pooches.
