Year of the Dog (2007/I)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Mike White

Writer (WGA):

Mike White (written by)

Release Date:

31 August 2007 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Has the world left you a stray?

Plot:

A secretary's life changes in unexpected ways after her dog dies.

Plot Keywords:

Animal Shelter | Victorias Secret | Attempted Murder | Handicapped Dog | Animal Rescue

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Molly Shannon	...	Peggy
Laura Dern	...	Bret
Regina King	...	Layla
Thomas McCarthy	...	Pier
Josh Pais	...	Robin
John C. Reilly	...	Al
Peter Sarsgaard	...	Newt
Amy Schlagel	...	Lissie
Zoe Schlagel	...	Lissie
Dale Godboldo	...	Don
Inara George	...	Holly
Liza Weil	...	Trishelle
Jon Shere	...	Pound Employee
Christy Moore	...	Al’s Girlfriend (as Christy Lynn Moore)
Audrey Wasilewski	...	Audrey

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some suggestive references.

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 | UK:PG | Ireland:PG | Singapore:PG | South Korea:12 | Portugal:M/6 | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Altadena, California, USA

Company:

Black & White Productions

Trivia:

The website where Molly makes her card is a real website for making greeting cards.

Quotes:

Al: So, you ever been married?
Peggy: No. No... That I mean that I never, you know I guess I never... that... that... that never happened. But I think some people just aren't as... you know... I don't know. It's like that, I guess.

Movie Connections:

References Spider-Man 3 (2007)

This is a great little film.

I am actually tempted to call it "heartwarming" though I've never used that term to compliment a film. Each character is a balance between an exaggerated stereotype and frighteningly accurate portrayal. White treats his characters with subtlety and respect while allowing them to be as ridiculous as we modern humans are. Laura Dern is a genius with her painful and precise rendition of a sterile post-modern mother. As are all the leads; wonderful to see so-called "character actors" given space to breathe. If you were looking for "school of rock" or "orange county" you may be disappointed, but if you were intrigued and moved by "chuck & buck" "year of the dog" might hit the mark. This film felt, at times, reminiscent of the work of Todd Solondz, in that the characters can be both absurd and realistic simultaneously, and (as I see it) both directors are careful to avoid exploiting their characters. White's story is more traditional and warm than most of Solondz's work, though, many viewers will likely find "dog" exclusively "too depressing" or just "funny", and probably not "funny" enough.

Overall: Really lovely and well crafted little film that is both serious and silly, without being melodramatic or wacky: a triumph considering the subject matter. It has already landed a spot near the top of my short list of favorite recent films (its a desert out there these days, this is a glass of pink lemonade).