The 1991 feature stars River Phoenix and Lili Taylor in the story of a cruel joke that turns into a momentous encounter between a Marine and a waitress. By Sheri Linden Senior Copy Editor/Film Critic ...

As Nancy Savoca’s 1991 film enters the Criterion Collection, the director recalls the night she was prepared to remove her name from the film — and then River Phoenix called.

In 1991, River Phoenix appeared in two movies: Gus Van Sant’s “My Own Private Idaho” and Nancy Savoca’s “Dogfight.” Coming off an Oscar nomination for “Running on Empty” a few years prior and a small ...