Movie Review: “A Dog’s Way Home” (PG) 2019

I’m glad to review this film recently released in the US theaters – and I walked in to view it knowing full well that cute factor would be at play, stating the great significance to humans that pet-companionship plays. Having grown up with pets at home, and having not had pets for many years since, I was drawn to see what this movie would make of the story about this special dog.

Plot-wise, as this film is beginning, a Colorado state pound is complying with an ordinance to remove stray cats and stray dogs. As to the real-life manner in which “dog-catchers” do their job properly in the same city of Colorado (where this movie is set), I don’t know. But, this fictional and reality based film, is a story about deserved kindness.

Juxtaposing a stray dog’s grown-up quest of reuniting with people who desperately need him, with the house-broken pets that are reveling in roaming the urban streets, you might be suspicious of the film as merely banking on affectionate images. It does that of course, but, not without really good simple story and well mapped-out presentation.

“A Dog’s Way Home” conveys the truth that man’s laws that intend to create order and civility (whether oppression is at play or not), can be every bit as gnarly and unruly against man’s survival and suitability for functioning in a liberal democracy, as “the wild” is known for quickly altering life situations. And, that is what makes this film a unique forerunner of that contemplation.

This movie might invite you to ask whether a law you know if is sound and reasonable. It also might invite you to return to “the wild” where things are settled in a more extreme way.

At start of the movie, we are invited into the cute little urban den where these animals reside. It is clear from the narration, that this story is about each one of them. Some of them are soon foreshadowed as subject to being euthanized, others will be impounded temporarily it seems, and it is expected that the dog will survive. How all those kittens and puppies got there to begin with, is not background story. Our main character, a dog, is hinged to “mother cat” upon which he suckles; and so begins the real story.

So, what to do and how to feed the stray animals that hardly anyone seems to know about? Well in this touching story, the animals clearly have many takers. Really, if you don’t find kittens and these little puppies totally cute, then don’t even try to adopt a pet – please.

Fortunately, the movie manages more than cuteness on screen… teaching that not every home is a good home; and that sacrifice is elemental to love. The story paces well without hurrying the audience.

While the film does propagandize the use of therapy dogs and cats, that overt messaging is totally acceptable from my vantage. One reason is that kids will not mind it I don’t think; secondly, the messaging has proper context. This story messages group therapy and clinical medicine both; but, clearly posits (and I agree) that people and pets, if good to and for one another, are happy together! That is one of the reasons why the film gets a good review – it does that well.

This film assembles more elemental mass and “street-cred”, by utilizing picturesque staging areas of BC, Canada. Set also in Colorado, the natural settings (which serve as the story’s canvas) are paired with a reliable spoken narration. Words that match animal behavior are combined perfectly. It’s quite impressive.

Thematically, script strips down to basic structure and linear plot, delivering an uncluttered experience. One point that is subtle but should be gotten… is that in the wild (traditionally), domestication is usually contrary to individual survival. And, where domestication is prolific (traditionally), laws of the wild thrive also… where there is an absence of due process and justice.

Using impressive blends of computer graphics and live action, there is laud to go around among the cast and crew in each of their respective departments. The animal trainers did amazing work for this film. And the music contractors acquired the right songs to match chosen moments. Other moments were punctuated or carried by classical orchestral arrangements, which also worked well for the overall experience. And if you’re about my age, you’ll probably recognize some understated and pretty cool castings.

This movie is elder approved and likely to be kid enjoyed too.