Year Of The Dog: Love Thy Animal
You don't have to be a dog lover to enjoy this fab comedy. It's different. It has a soul. It also has extremely interesting characters and it's a comedy but exists in a sad satire.
Peggy, played beautifully by Molly Shannon, is a middle-aged spinster secretary who has a dog named Pencil. One day, the dog dies of poisoning. The story goes on to reveal how lonely she is and how she discovers that her true calling is her love for animals.
The performances by other cast members are remarkable. Regina King is excellent as a girl desperate to get married.
Peter Sarsgaard is fabulous as a celibate animal care professional who finds a peaceful way to deal with the demons of his difficult childhood.
After Molly, the film belongs to him, but first comes director Mike White.
Debutant filmmakers always develop an individualistic flair to make a statement. White has done a great job by showing the lost art of simple things in the big race of life.
He is not new to comedy, having written The School of Rock and Nacho Libre, both runaway successes.
Year of The Dog has a beautiful pace and keeps you hooked with its simplicity of daily life. One of its unique stylistic features is the understated background score which allows the actors' raw emotions to resonate.
Each character is so well etched that you are bound to feel empathy for them.
Also, the scenes involving the dogs are not over the top, but rather adorable. Though it might not be appreciated by all, there is a message.
Animal rights groups are bound to extol the film's positive lessons, and promote its key feel-good message; in the words of Peter in the film, “Animals are like humans, all they want is love.''
The writer is Creative and Program-ming Head, Zee TV, Middle East
Stars out of five: Three
Cast: Molly Shannon, Laura Dern, Regina King, Peter Sarsgaard, Thomas McCarthy
See it if you like: Bulldog Edition
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