Films like The Dog in the Manger.

The Dog in the Manger (1996) reads as Warm, kinetic, measured comedy / romance, grounded in texture. Ambivalent, intimate, measured. Every film below is ranked by distance across the same twelve hand-scored axes — with what it keeps, and where it walks away. Not a genre dump.

Kit Kat (1991) poster
1. Kit Kat1991

Keeps the grounded, familiar shape and the cold, bleak undertow — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993) poster
2. Manhattan Murder Mystery1993

Keeps the grounded, familiar shape and the intimate, personal stakes; trades toward a relentless forward drive.

The End of Old Times (1989) poster
3. The End of Old Times1989

Keeps the grounded, familiar shape and the cold, bleak undertow — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Foul King (2000) poster
4. The Foul King2000

Keeps the grounded, familiar shape and the cold, bleak undertow — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001) poster
5. The Curse of the Jade Scorpion2001

Keeps the grounded, familiar shape and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

May Fools (1990) poster
6. May Fools1990

Keeps the grounded, familiar shape and the cold, bleak undertow — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

TGV (1998) poster
7. TGV1998

Keeps the grounded, familiar shape and the cold, bleak undertow — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Strategy of the Snail (1993) poster
8. The Strategy of the Snail1993

Keeps the grounded, familiar shape and the cold, bleak undertow — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Tasuma, the Fighter (2003) poster
9. Tasuma, the Fighter2003

Keeps the grounded, familiar shape and the cold, bleak undertow — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Happy Times (2000) poster
10. Happy Times2000

Keeps the grounded, familiar shape and the cold, bleak undertow — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Wonder Boys (2000) poster
11. Wonder Boys2000

Keeps the grounded, familiar shape and the cold, bleak undertow; trades toward a patient, unhurried pace.

Sweet and Lowdown (1999) poster
12. Sweet and Lowdown1999

Keeps the grounded, familiar shape and the cold, bleak undertow — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

These are The Dog in the Manger’s neighbours — where are yours?

Rate five posters and the same twelve axes read you — then tonight’s pick comes from your own centre of taste.

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