I think there are few movies that have the ability to get me quite as worked up while viewing it as the second half of Cujo can. Once again, I think it's because the film firmly takes place in reality, there is no supernatural evil, just a mother and her young son trapped in their broken down car by a large, rabid St. Bernard. It's not hard to imagine yourself in that situation, trying to figure out what you would do. The other thing that helps make it so effective is the film takes its time in setting up it's characters.
The film focuses on Donna (played by Dee Wallace), her husband Vic (played by Daniel Hugh Kelly, and their son Tad (played by Danny Pintauro). Tad is convinced there is a monster hiding in his closet no matter how much reassurance his parents give him that there is no such thing as real monsters (har har, we as the audience know what's coming). In addition to this, it's revealed that Donna has been having an affair with Vic's friend Steve (played by Christopher Stone) and is feeling extremely guilty about it. She decides to break it off by going to Steve's place and telling him face to face. Of course, Vic is driving by and witnesses Donna leaving and Steve coming after her. He asks her about it later and she confesses. Before they have a chance to deal with it, he's called away on business to help deal with a PR disaster one of the companies he does advertising for is experiencing.
While he's away, Donna decides to take her car to the mechanic for repairs. The mechanic in question, Joe Camber (played by Ed Lauter) works out of his barn in his farm a few miles outside of town. Unfortunately, Joe's wife and son have recently left town on vacation and Joe has encountered his newly rabid dog Cujo and did not fare so well, if you get my meaning. This really isn't a spoiler, the character might as well have had "cannon fodder" tattooed on his forehead. Any halfway savvy viewer knew he was destined to be puppy chow. This brings us to the main section of the film and it's just Donna, Tad and Cujo. What follows is some of the scariest cinema I have ever watched. It's one jolt after another as Donna struggles to figure a way out of this impossible scenario with extremely limited resources (remember this is pre-cell phones) and a fierce and intimidating rabid dog that won't let her leave.
Dee Wallace gives an amazing performance as a mother pushed to her absolute limits. It's a shame she never got the recognition she deserved for it. She is utterly convincing as a mother desperately trying to save her son and herself. She's smart, capable and also vulnerable. It's a fantastic performance and a large part of why the film is so effective. You really care about her and Tad, who is utterly adorable, and want so desperately for them to figure a way out of there.
Overall, Cujo is a primal and scary movie. It keeps itself grounded and therefore it's easier to relate to, for better or for worse. It takes the time to set up it's characters so that when you get to the really scary parts, you actually care about what happens to them and it's not something I think a lot of modern films have the patience to do. It's also not afraid to have flawed characters, especially with the character of Donna. In fact, it adds to the film, bringing thoughts to the audience of fate or karma and wondering did Donna deserve this? Is this penance for her past misdeeds? It's certainly food for thought, for the brief moments when you're not jumping out of your seat that is.
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