I love documentaries like this, always poignant and frank. I enjoyed this particular tale, I think, because a lot of it paralleled my own upbringing. The creator's Mom is a hoot, but all the people are colorful and real. If you've never known hardened streetwise people, this might cause you to think lowly of the cast, but believe me, these people care deeply and have a worldly view not easily seen from the outside.
29 Reviews
Raw and realistic
gilleygurl11 September 2021
Those were the days...We thought they'd never end...
valis194915 April 2020
Singer-songwriter, Andy Dick, reviews his life and the deep connection that he has to The Red Dog Saloon, a strip club and biker bar in Oklahoma City, OK. His mom was an exotic dancer there and he was friends and family to many of the crazy and drugged out characters that frequented the bar in the nineteen eighties. A strangely moving portrait of weirdly crude, yet complicated people who have come to terms with the good and bad life choices that they've made.
Nice ride down memory lane, but missing a real ending
diggerusmvmc3 December 2021
I grew up in the OKC area, spent many a summer afternoon/evening driving around Lake Overholser - including playing frisbee in "the flats". This occurred in the same time frame that the people from this documentary apparently did the same, so no doubt we shared the same space and breathed the same air.
That said, I never went to the Red Dog. Not sure why... I went to many other strip clubs in OKC in the mid-late '80s. Still, it was cool to see the intersection of those lives and my own. I knew Otis Watkins, for example, but never knew he played at the Dog. I always saw him at the Samurai or the Wolf Trap (or when he was in town from Austin and hung out at the bar I worked at: Bianca's Jazz / Blues Club.)
All that is to say that this movie kept me in rapt attention because it hit so close to home. I have no idea how it plays outside the dust bowl, but I hope it does well for Luke and his family.
My only complaint is that the ending was a bit abrupt. Yes, we get to see Luke Dick's life wrapped up with a nice bow - along with some of the closer related people - but I would have liked to see maybe a montage showing those we saw throughout the film with a "where they are now". For example, I understand that Otis has passed on, sadly. No mention of that from Luke.
If you are from the OKC area (or spent any time there in the '70s-'80s), give this one a try. You are sure to be transported back to a time that was both simpler and more complicated.
If you've never been to my great state, give this movie a try anyway. See how the other half lived.
That said, I never went to the Red Dog. Not sure why... I went to many other strip clubs in OKC in the mid-late '80s. Still, it was cool to see the intersection of those lives and my own. I knew Otis Watkins, for example, but never knew he played at the Dog. I always saw him at the Samurai or the Wolf Trap (or when he was in town from Austin and hung out at the bar I worked at: Bianca's Jazz / Blues Club.)
All that is to say that this movie kept me in rapt attention because it hit so close to home. I have no idea how it plays outside the dust bowl, but I hope it does well for Luke and his family.
My only complaint is that the ending was a bit abrupt. Yes, we get to see Luke Dick's life wrapped up with a nice bow - along with some of the closer related people - but I would have liked to see maybe a montage showing those we saw throughout the film with a "where they are now". For example, I understand that Otis has passed on, sadly. No mention of that from Luke.
If you are from the OKC area (or spent any time there in the '70s-'80s), give this one a try. You are sure to be transported back to a time that was both simpler and more complicated.
If you've never been to my great state, give this movie a try anyway. See how the other half lived.
Is There Life After Pole-Dancing?
BoomerDT25 July 2022
Found this doc on Amazon Prime, found it interesting. I'm probably slightly older than these ladies who were "exotic" dancers at the Red Dog and 40 some years ago I might frequent such a place occasionally and find myself falling in love, for the evening anyway-with one of the young lovelies who showed me some attention, although I quickly discovered that their interest corresponds with the frequency and amount of tips left to the dancers. But as several of the ladies point, it's a business. It also wasn't hard to figure out as a patron that most of these girls must have had come from unfortunate lives and been robbed of much of their childhood and adolescence joy.
I'm not a big fan of current country music, although I have heard of songwriter Luke Dick, who is the director of this. He is also the son of Kim, a lady who is the focal point of this story and a dancer at the Red Dog, evidently in the late 70's and through the 80's. Through interviews with Kim and some of fellow dancers who are still around, plus photos from the era, he gives us an honest look at their lives. Seeing photos of them then, compared to now, also is how Life in the Fast Lane will take its toll. Fortunately it seems several did find life and happiness beyond the Red Dog. My only criticism is that is runs a bit long, easily .20 minutes could have been cut. Worth watching.
I'm not a big fan of current country music, although I have heard of songwriter Luke Dick, who is the director of this. He is also the son of Kim, a lady who is the focal point of this story and a dancer at the Red Dog, evidently in the late 70's and through the 80's. Through interviews with Kim and some of fellow dancers who are still around, plus photos from the era, he gives us an honest look at their lives. Seeing photos of them then, compared to now, also is how Life in the Fast Lane will take its toll. Fortunately it seems several did find life and happiness beyond the Red Dog. My only criticism is that is runs a bit long, easily .20 minutes could have been cut. Worth watching.
This is not a 6.5! far above!
darylnbillye14 November 2020
This is one of the best personal documentaries I have ever seen. It's not about a historic event or a famous person it's simply about people and being human. This is story telling at its finest and if something about this documentary doesn't connect to you I would be extremely surprised. The filmmaker and especially his mother are a pure joy to watch as well as all the others cast if personalities who were a part of this story. There are no judgements here and no apologies just a level of truth seldom seen today but it's that pure honesty that allows you to connect at a level deeper and the filmmaker does an excellent job of showing that truth in a mostly humorous yet touching story about a strip club in Oklahoma. Don't pass this up if you have the opportunity to watch it, you will walk away feeling better for it!
REAl REVIEW
flk1940-857-7166559 May 2021
I had no idea who this guy was who any of these people were before I watch this movie . I clicked on it and I think it's one of the greatest documentaries ever really heartfelt. Being sober myself I get the whole crazy drug life stuff that went on but there's a lot of love here I recommend watching this movie. Luke's mom is the coolest she is so funny. In constantly having to weed through all the user reviews that are friends of the movie makers or whatever I must say I am not one of those but I love this movie unconditionally.
Eh
duanealanfrost3 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Stories from the people that lived the Red Dog days were pretty good, but this whole thing seems like cringey cover for this dude to make a documentary about himself. All the talks about him being a dad and his family and showing him record music in his home studio and the cameos of his Dierks Bentley shoutouts or whatever... just seemed like the director has a massive ego. It seemed to drag on after about forty five minutes and just seemed super pointless. Like there is a whole story about this dude eating fruit loops and watching cartoons at his step dads like... why? What does any of this have to do with a biker strip club bar?
Booorrriiiionnnnggggg.
Booorrriiiionnnnggggg.
Can't help falling in love with Kim and the rest of the Red Dog crew
jesmitch23 July 2020
This documentary is not what I expected. The life stories laid bare in a no holds barred look at life in the fast lane at the Red Dog Saloon. Viewers are shown in detail how we can lead very different lives, but all want the same thing. At the end of the documentary, all I wanted to do was go have a smoke with Kim and learn more about her storied life. Having grown up in a stable two parent household, I have a new found respect for all of the single parents out there who will scrape and scrap to raise their children to be more than themselves. Thank you to Luke and the Red Dog family for bringing me into your world.
This has been praised? Never heard of this place till now!
Marynewcomb201315 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Can't believe how this has been praised!! It shows you how bad people are!! No one in their right mind would ever choose to live like this! Getting married at 14/15 years old! Going to a strange city & getting dragged into an old man walking around his drug infested house naked! Knives being pulled by a woman towards her third husband!! Calling these people at the red dog slum bar "friends" to only having to stay away from them to keep yourself clean & sober!! Not only can I not get passed the fake praises, I also can't past Hulu showing this trash!! How a complete unknown named Like Dick got to even do this is another mystery!!
I Came For The Sex But Stayed For The Story
My-Two-Cent20 July 2020
The only reason I even watched this documentary was because of the pictures it showed on the screen in the Hulu app but the stories that were told thru the eyes of the employees of the Red Dog saloon is what kept me watching.. It was such a well made make ya laugh one minute and have you on the edge of tears the next documentary..!
Honest and heartfelt - well worth the watch
lm_work4 January 2022
I'd never heard of any people or places mentioned in this documentary. I had some fairly crazy '70s experiences, but nothing like the people in this documentary. I'm very impressed with Luke Dick's film skills, his editing and songwriting (this from a music lover who doesn't prefer C/W music). By the end of the film, I wanted to call them friends . His mom Kim's honesty, humor, and love for friends and family made her larger than life. She's a superb storyteller. It's a raw look at several former 'exotic dancers' who made bad and good life choices, whose kids managed to thrive in spite of it. Raised in a strip club environment, around drunks, fighting, drugs, dealers... a very frank look at a lifestyle few would consciously choose. But there's so much love behind all the struggle and pain - love, loyalty, friendship, and family are the values evident throughout these stories. We are all flawed in our own ways, but Luke Dick and his mom bared it all, bravely (both tragically and hilariously) and it's thoroughly entertaining. You want to hear all the stories. Great job, Luke. I'd crowdfund for another film if you make one.
When I realized what I was watching
monterrubiomary9 June 2022
I felt dirty.
You're watching this rough and tumble crew recount the stories of life at The Red Dog. You start watching it because your heart goes out to the now grown boy who lived there while his mom stripped... But then you realize...
All these girls were basically kids too. Given drugs and booze and told to get up in stage and strip for a pretty seedy crowd.
One of the interviewees even knew her youth worked in her favor as she won against a legal age dancer.
I have no problem with the sex work industry, before people think it's that.
It's just this was exploitation of children and none of these people being interviewed (as far as I watched it which was maybe a quarter in) seemed to get that.
It made me very sad for the women and filmmaker.
You're watching this rough and tumble crew recount the stories of life at The Red Dog. You start watching it because your heart goes out to the now grown boy who lived there while his mom stripped... But then you realize...
All these girls were basically kids too. Given drugs and booze and told to get up in stage and strip for a pretty seedy crowd.
One of the interviewees even knew her youth worked in her favor as she won against a legal age dancer.
I have no problem with the sex work industry, before people think it's that.
It's just this was exploitation of children and none of these people being interviewed (as far as I watched it which was maybe a quarter in) seemed to get that.
It made me very sad for the women and filmmaker.
"I'm glad I took the ride"
stephengibbons-21 February 2021
Slice of life docs are really fascinating to me because after you've seen all the blockbuster superhero nonsense, hanging with actual human beings is gratifying. I don't know Luke Dick, I don't know his music, but I took a chance on this story and I really loved it. His mom is a true blue, authentic American lady. And all the people that surrounded her in this story are cut from that same rebel cloth as Kim. I loved when Luke asks her why she shies away from being labeled a feminist and Kim tells him that she didn't need to belong to any cause or believe in things she didn't believe in to fit in. She's an independent and individual spirit that lives beyond any foolish dogma. I was really impressed by this story and it makes me excited to be a good Dad someday.
It tried, it really did BUT
pantsronfire5 January 2021
Great Documentary
jamie-huckstead4 September 2020
So funny and cathartic and lovely
markthomas2471 October 2020
Being young, wild and free.
nicoleknwls-597-43335223 July 2020
Wasn't quite sure what to expect but it ended up being a good story, nonetheless
sewalk92726 April 2021
I went to high school a couple of suburbs over from the 'Dog on the far side of Lake "HoldHerCloser" so my interest was piqued to say the least. In the intervening years, I've been there a few times, often for lunch. The burgers aren't quite so good as some would claim but they were OK and the scenery was better than that at Whataburger or Sonic. There was enough background on the club to draw me in and keep me there for the story of Kim and Luke.
Thoroughly Enjoyable
catcon-966-956126 December 2021
I found this on Hulu and decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I did. These women, especially Kim, are amazing. They're open, brutally honest, and I respect them for doing what they had to do, to keep the bills paid and their families fed.
I used to go to the Red Dog.
quockquock27 April 2022
I don't know all the facts, but it's pretty much like I remembered it. Kind of a bit of OKC history. Good show if you are from that area and want to re-live your past for a bit. I actually knew a couple of the people in the show. Wow, they have changed! I didn't know Tiny, but I don't believe ONE word that he says in this documentary. Tiny is a blowhard!
Straight Up
conjamcar29 July 2022
So glad I stumbled across this one
shelleybeth19 December 2021
I was intrigued by the stories to be told about a rowdy strip club in OKC from 30 years back, and I was not disappointed. All of the interviews and stories are treasures, but I am absolutely in love with Kim. What a fantastic human who lived hard and has no regrets. I dabbled in life on the wild side when I was the same age, and it really validated that time in my life for me as well. Such a great documentary. Great job by all involved.
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