Dog movies are easy to be stereotyped as much as how dog has been man's best friend for thousands of years.
It seems to me that Isshin Inudou and other creators of this movie tried to get away from that, and there are some evidences there. One is how they have created an omnibus style of movie with 7 directors. The other is that dogs are not the leading roles in this movie. They always remain supportive roles, as people's companions. This movie is 'about' dogs, but it is a tale that is told from man to man.
Putting the main story of Pochi aside for now and speaking of other shorts, I think they're overall very nice, even though I think Koro the Pug's story could have been better. The movie constructs a solid 'image' of dogs in general by showing them (along humans) in different situations and in different perspectives, then brings a strong end to it. It is a little to typical, but I guess it's something that was necessary. I think it was a good ending. The animation right before the last short is quite impressive as well, I think I felt more so because I know many people who just get rid of their dogs so fast, just because they're not puppies anymore.
But in fact, the most impressive part of them all was Pochi, the last episode particularly so. When Yamada cries out Pochi's name the last time, to me it sounded like a cry of mixed emotions including yearning and regret. Last 3 shorts - Pochi, animation and Marimo story - have put together stories about parting with dogs, and they all do it in different ways. And Pochi's one has the deepest impact in it, because it consists people who had to part with their dogs by unexpected events, or those who have parted with their dogs and can't see them again, no matter how much they regret or yearn. In this short, the our usual conception/view of relation between man and dog is reversed. And therefore I found it very impressive and heart-aching. I think it was a story which will directly hit the hearts of those people who had to part with their dogs in other ways than by the dog aging.
'All about my dog' seems a little loose when we actually watch it, and I suspect that is because we are spellbound by dogs' unique charm. But looking back on it, I do think 'All about my dog' is an impressive and original movie. The way of storytelling overall was quite fresh and executed magnificently. And because of it, I claim this movie to stand on its own ground, apart from other dog movies. I think this movie makes us think a lot about how it has achieved it all, as well as about the relationship we have with our dogs.
It seems to me that Isshin Inudou and other creators of this movie tried to get away from that, and there are some evidences there. One is how they have created an omnibus style of movie with 7 directors. The other is that dogs are not the leading roles in this movie. They always remain supportive roles, as people's companions. This movie is 'about' dogs, but it is a tale that is told from man to man.
Putting the main story of Pochi aside for now and speaking of other shorts, I think they're overall very nice, even though I think Koro the Pug's story could have been better. The movie constructs a solid 'image' of dogs in general by showing them (along humans) in different situations and in different perspectives, then brings a strong end to it. It is a little to typical, but I guess it's something that was necessary. I think it was a good ending. The animation right before the last short is quite impressive as well, I think I felt more so because I know many people who just get rid of their dogs so fast, just because they're not puppies anymore.
But in fact, the most impressive part of them all was Pochi, the last episode particularly so. When Yamada cries out Pochi's name the last time, to me it sounded like a cry of mixed emotions including yearning and regret. Last 3 shorts - Pochi, animation and Marimo story - have put together stories about parting with dogs, and they all do it in different ways. And Pochi's one has the deepest impact in it, because it consists people who had to part with their dogs by unexpected events, or those who have parted with their dogs and can't see them again, no matter how much they regret or yearn. In this short, the our usual conception/view of relation between man and dog is reversed. And therefore I found it very impressive and heart-aching. I think it was a story which will directly hit the hearts of those people who had to part with their dogs in other ways than by the dog aging.
'All about my dog' seems a little loose when we actually watch it, and I suspect that is because we are spellbound by dogs' unique charm. But looking back on it, I do think 'All about my dog' is an impressive and original movie. The way of storytelling overall was quite fresh and executed magnificently. And because of it, I claim this movie to stand on its own ground, apart from other dog movies. I think this movie makes us think a lot about how it has achieved it all, as well as about the relationship we have with our dogs.
