MOVIE REVIEW: A DOG’S PURPOSE

Shane | 4 June 2017 | Reply

MOVIE REVIEW: A DOG’S PURPOSE
Directed by Lasse Hallström
From the novel by Bruce Cameron
Starring Josh Gad, Dennis Quaid, Peggy Lipton, KJ Apa, Britt Robertson
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
8 ½ /10

Bailey is a gorgeous, rambunctious golden retriever pup determined to discover his purpose – why is he here? “Was having fun the point?” He sure has a lot of fun, adopting young Ethan in the 1960’s in America, growing old as his young ward grows up.

Every dog lover knows the bond between their best friend and themselves, and Bailey & Ethan’s connection is perfectly captured here.

That bond is cut tragically short when a jealous football teammate plays a cruel practical joke, resulting in a devastating accident that robs Ethan of his dream career and takes him from both Bailey and his loving girlfriend, Hannah.

Bailey passes – there will be tears, be warned – and is reborn, several times, in fact. Each time learning more, each time searching for the meaning of his (or her) life, each time getting closer to finding Ethan and his (or her) purpose.

A Dog’s Purpose is first a simple, yet charming, love story, a meditation on the timeless nature of love – we’re never too old, after all – and of regret for dreams stolen and second chances.

But more than that, director Lars Hallström has crafted a love letter to our beautiful canine friends, who are only able to love us for a dozen or so years, but who, in doing so, change our lives forever. Their stories are our stories.