Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009) User Reviews

Unprecedented loyalty in a story of age-old friendship

[Davor_Blazevic_1959 · 9/10 · 4 January 2010]

Knowing the real-life story behind it, Hachiko: A Dog's Story (2009) has been made in a sort of staged documentary style, similar to the kind of movies often seen on documentary channels (e.g. NatGeo), however without a narrator so common in documentaries, and including well-known actors (Richard Gere, Sarah Roemer and Joan Allen), making it more suitable for theatrical distribution.

Before my last year's visit to Tokyo I've been unaware of the true-life story this movie is based upon. In time an occasion came up to meet a friend in Shibuya city, contemporary center of Tokyo's youth culture (shopping, fashion, nightlife...), and that's how I've learned about the popular local meeting point for all Tokyoites, the Hachikō Akita dog statue just outside of Shibuya Train Station, but the real story behind it has been still eluding me ever since. After seeing this movie, and some additional research on the web, all pieces have fallen into place.

In retelling the story of common bonding between the dog and its owner, so usual that it comes so natural, film is moving at slow pace, following events of an ordinary life, though not without occasional comedic and dramatic overtones. Even past the dramatic highpoint, when common acts of affection and loyalty evolve towards such an unheard-of faithfulness and ultimate devotion, pace of the storytelling does not change, relying primarily on fine details and emotional build-up. Of course, this might not attract everybody, providing that majority of movie audience today is highly dependent on fast paced, action packed scenes, getting thrills from 3D CG stylized ambiance and suspense, high volume amplitudes and aggressive, often rude highlights of any other nature. However, for those who can do without it, and keep alive their interest even in a simple story, who won't shy away from emotional involvement (as if this can be controlled), they shall easily find themselves consumed by its mere beauty and warmth. Usual man's-best-friend story, spiced with an intriguing yet inspiring detail, shall leave you a bit sad, inevitably pensive, but ultimately delighted. Even more so after the reading of the real-life epilogue.

So Touching and Real!

[maria_c54 · 9/10 · 17 August 2009]

I just saw this movie today, and I'm so glad I did.

It is based on a true story and it's only natural that the movie is great because the real story itself is very touching. One of the things that sets this movie apart from the other movies that involve animals is how they stuck to reality instead of throwing in some a-little-hard-to-believe elements here and there just to make it more entertaining.

Sometimes they show things through Hachi's eyes as opposed to human eyes, which helps you relate to him and understand how he felt and what he thought then, as well as emphasizes that Hachi is the main character of the movie.

This is not just a kids' movie. In the end everyone including myself was crying because we were so moved. It is a must-see.

Extremely Emotional

[surfer-lancealot · 10/10 · 2 February 2010]

Well what can i say. I'm a guy i don't cry about movies i know its fake but i gotta say this one caught me by surprise even tho id watched the trailer and read a few reviews already. by the end of the movie i was in tears absolutely broken down crying my eyes out. and saying that i probably haven't shed a tear in about 8 years for anything but i love dogs and this is the most amazing story I've ever seen this is probably the best movie I've seen in about 10 years and i have seen almost everything.

as u can prob tell i would advise everyone to see this and stop and think for a moment if we all cared for each other like we know we should like this movie teaches us wouldn't the world be a better place?

If You've Ever Owned a Dog, Don't Miss This Film About Loyalty Love and Devotion.

[bobnsri · 10/10 · 19 November 2009]

Finally a film without explosions, computer graphics, and violence. A family film with a message. Adults will relate to the story of life-long friendship and loyalty. Children will love the "dog story" A tender story will huge box office potential. The possible "sleeper hit" of the holidays. Pet lovers everywhere will relate to this film and will leave theaters in tears. A weepy, wonderful film about the bond that develops between one man and a dog after a chance meeting at a train station. Bring extra tissues! Based on a true story, this film was shot mostly in Woonsocket, Rhode Island at a historic old train station. Beautifully shot and edited. The film runs less than 2-hours. The film generally adheres to the actual true story of a dog in Japan. The dog became a national treasure and a monument was erected to honor him.

Hachi

[0U · 20 February 2020]

I have always been a huge fan of dramas so Hachi: A Dog's Tale, did not disappoint me! The movie is based on a true story that took place in Japan. ........ If you really like dogs, please watch this movie.You will learn how to build good relationships with your dogs.You simply need to love your dogs and make them one of the members of your family. Then your dogs will love you and follow you anywhere. Hachi was a Japanese dog.Hachi was born in Japan. He was so loyal to his owner that he was with him everywhere.Today, there is a Hachi's statue at Shibuya station in Tokyo. After this American version Hachi movie, a tatue of the dog, Hachi, was installed in front of Woonsocket Depot Square,NY where the movie was filmed. It was a very nice short film.The story is from Japan.Japanese love this story because Hachi looks like some samurai who was loyal to his lord and died for the lord. If you love the dogs, please watch this movie.

Not sad, but eyes red

[pchk-629-36011 · 10/10 · 8 January 2010]

Finally a film from the USA (albeit based on a true story in the 1920s Japan) that is without guns, explosions and free of violence and not based at all on romantic elements!

"Love and Loyalty" succinctly sums up the film. The love so simple, so pure and the loyalty so unfailing, so steadfast that it would melt any steel heart. I was so embarrassed that as soon as the film came to the end I dashed straight into the loo only to see my eyes sore red (!!)

The main characters never "take flight" but that matters not at all. It's the simple story of the love between a man and his best friend that more than sufficiently works all the wonders. Not a sad one, but profoundly touching, So touching that even a tough guy like me couldn't possibly hold his tears.

Hachiko, the Akita dog, has set the Yardstick of loyalty under which all loyalty among us human beings are to be measured. Loyalty that is truly monumental. Loyalty that is to be surpassed only by God Himself.

A must-watch film, especially for all dog lovers. Highly recommended for all families and people of all ages.

Surprisingly better than the original

[p-seed-889-188469 · 7/10 · 28 February 2015]

Having now seen and reviewed) the original 1987 Hachiko Monogatari I have come back to this remake with fresh eyes and an upwardly revised opinion. While I still believe this movie in no way reaches the true potential of the "story" I think it at least matches and may even exceed the quality of the original.

Perhaps of greatest surprise to me are the choices the director made in what he took from and what he rejected from the original story. He has moved the story from 1920's Tokyo to 2000's small town America, and this is not an unreasonable choice. However once the link with the original Japanese story has been so fundamentally severed the world is your oyster as far as story details go so having made that choice it does seem a little perverse to make the dog not just Japanese but an Akita, as in the original. The essence of Hachiko is essentially a love story between a dog and his master, and it matters not one whit if they are in Japan or America, if the master is a Professor of agricultural engineering or of music, or a street cleaner for that matter. It does not matter if the dog is an Akita, a Pekinese or a Great Dane. What is pivotal is the portrayal of a credible relationship between the dog and his master, and to achieve this the casting of both man and dog is absolutely paramount. The Akita is a magnificent animal but if these two movies are any indication it has a stoic personality that presents a challenge to a filmmaker who has only 90 minutes to bring the character to emotional life. Presumably the Japanese market for whom the original was intended knows this personality and compensated for it. In this American version the director cunningly introduces a Japanese character who is able to inform the viewer of the Akita's character, which somewhat mitigates and explains the dog's relatively passive behaviour, but nevertheless it still would have been nice to see a greater level of visible connection between the dog and his master.

As I indicated in my other review the conundrum of this story is how to present it without inferring at least some hint of abandonment on the part of the master's family. I think this version does a better job of this than the original, and certainly the character of the Master's daughter and her partner are far more sympathetic than the original, although there is still some lingering unease as to how a dog can remain essentially a stray within the community for a decade or so. In both movies the subplot of neither wife not really wanting the dog is totally unnecessary and simply wastes precious time that should have been devoted to developing the personalities and relationships of the dog his master.

Richard Gere is not called upon to do much before he pops off but never the less does a great job. He presents a far more consistently sympathetic character than his counterpart in the original, although to be fair his Japanese counterpart is saddled with having to exist in the less relaxed context and culture of 1920's Japan. It has to be said the director's conception of a music professor as someone who plays music with all the sophistication of three blind mice for beginner piano, and who supervises very strange dances is more than a little naive. We also have to suspend credibility in the first 10 minutes in which Hachiko makes his way from Japan to a small American town – like people always send puppies randomly half way across the world in a rickety kennel with no documentation, no quarantine, no nothing, right? And they are routinely dumped on top of carts of luggage and accidentally dropped by people who seem to be deaf and blind...why did they even bother with this part of the story? This a waste of time that could have been better used to develop the man/dog relationship.

In summary a solid if not magnificent re-telling of the Hachiko story and probably as good as can be achieved while sticking to the Japanese framework.

Will not leave you the same

[nainwal · 10/10 · 6 March 2010]

I think at the end of the day, what matters in a movie is how different it leaves you after you've watched it. It could be technically brilliant and leave you in amazement about how a narrative can be structured, leave you thinking about an issue from a totally unique perspective or just leave you thinking.

But if you believe that the impact a movie has on you is important - you cannot afford to miss this movie. I've never written a review in the past 7-8 years of using IMDb but signed up just so I could say how much I loved this movie.

I read a couple of reviews talk about crying during the movie and thought it odd. I can't remember the last time I cried during a movie - but towards the last 15 minutes of the movie I didn't only cry - I cried from the depth of my heart, not out of sadness but from a much deeper sense of realization the power of true love and how it can manifest itself. You hear so many times that there is 'God' in all of us if we can realize it - at the end of this movie you will know why it's true.

It's a must watch movie.

tedious to watch, sad vibes

[gangaspecial · 6/10 · 11 January 2021]

5% Story 65% Dog 30% Sad Piano Music. That's the movies content. Everything just merges in watching a sad dog and feeling sad. The whole emotion could have been captured in 10 min footage.

You cannot get it any better than this

[ankurin · 10/10 · 5 February 2010]

Its really hard to articulate when you have so much to write and so little words to express. And even lesser words which could actually help you convey what you want to say. The closest word which comes to my mind in this case is 'stupendous'.

Hachiko is a true story about a dog in Japan and the special bond he shared with a professor whom he met when it was a little puppy. The story has been put forward exceptionally well by the cast and the director.

The movie has been kept extremely simple with minimum effort on the scenes, yet remarkably you are kept spellbound after a couple of minutes into the movie. And as the other reviews suggest, making the whole theater grab onto their tissues explains how good it really is.

Lastly, coming for someone who also rates 'Eight below' as one of his favorite's, a high rating of Hachiko would seem a little biased to many. But in my honest opinion I don't think that anybody who has watched this movie can rate it below 10.

Well-written and filmed, really touching.

[whateveer · 8/10 · 15 November 2009]

I first knew about "Hachiko: A Dog's Story" because of Sarah Roemer, my favorite actress. When I read more about this movie and found out that Richard Gere and Joan Allen were in the cast too, I was really excited.

I saw the movie on 29 Setember at "Festival do Rio de Janeiro" and I loved it! It's really powerful and touching. I loved how they showed the dog's vision in black & white.

The only thing that I didn't like at all was that the characters seems to "never take flight". I know Parker (Richard Gere) and the dog Hachiko are the main characters, but I think that the other characters could have been explored a bit more. But I do understand why it wasn't done.

If you are a dog person, you will definitely love this movie! It's a sad, beautiful story that touches everyone's heart! A must-see.

unbelievable

[cstschnarr · 10/10 · 3 November 2009]

Saw this movie while traveling in Belarus it brought me to my knees this was a show of the ages and without question a Richard Gere classic and performance of a lifetime this show will be Seen for Years and lifetimes to come I have been back in the U.S. for 2 weeks now and tell everyone about it I think of it many times a day it was yes----that good this is a movie You will never ever forget or get it out of your mind and heart will see it again when it opens in the US in December you may think this is a over statement but when you leave the theater it will be a known fact you will remember this show for ever it was and is a classic forever and a true story to boot...... wow.

A wonderful tale about friendship

[harrison-lopes · 11 September 2011]

How bitter can people be? After reading some negative reviews here, I just felt I had to say something. People who gave this movie low rates because they found it "boring" and found technical flaws in it must be kidding!This is one of the best movies I've ever seen (even now, two years later)and it's not a movie for dog lovers only, it's a movie about friendship and it does have an important message to deliver to people of all ages. It has certainly become a classic and it's one of Richard Gere's best performances ever! It sure is a movie I will be showing my kids when they grow up to help me illustrate concepts like "friendship", "dedication" and "loyalty".

A Nutshell Review: Hachiko: A Dog's Story

[DICK STEEL · 6/10 · 24 January 2010]

I came to know of the Hachiko story from one of the film screenings during the Japanese Film Festival more than two years ago, and having visited Tokyo, who would not have heard and noticed that one of the exits of the busy Shibuya station had one exit named after the famous dog? Why an American version of the story would be made baffles me, if not only to tell of yet another dog story following the likes of the Lassies and the Marleys that because dog is Man's best friend there will always be a ready market for it?

Directed by Swede Lasse Hallstrom, at least there's the sensibility to still ensure that Hachiko remains Japanese, only for it to be accidentally transported from a Japanese monastery, and thanks to a botch up in cargo handling, Hachiko the puppy's destination ended up to be an American town with the Bedridge train station, where his first night wandering around the station's platform brought him to encounter Professor Parker Wilson, played by Richard Gere. Taking pity on the puppy whom he thought was abandoned, Parker brought it home to the opposition of his wife (Joan Allen), but who can deny a homeless dog especially one that looks as cute as a button?

The gist of the story you would already know from the trailer which decided to tell all. The film curiously didn't spend too much time with Hachiko as a puppy, and decided to fast forward to when it became an adult dog, starting to walk with Parker to the station, and at 5pm every work day, promptly made its way back to the station to wait for its master, and then walking back. The Japanese version did this very well with people interaction along the way, which this version decided to erroneously gloss over. It's not about just the Professor and his dog, but the community around in which the dog's loyalty, faithfulness and street- smartness touched. Sure there was some attempts at that in this version, but there was too little and probably wanted to approach the story in a different direction.

Unfortunately it got a little carried away, and after the pivotal turning point, it somehow went downhill with the narrative being dragged out because here's exactly when the relationship between community and the dog would have taken over to move this to another emotional plane, and didn't because the foundations were not established, granted though there were enough moments and scenes to tug at your heartstrings.

One cannot deny that the Akita breeds are cute, and many would have missed the disclaimer toward the end of the credits that the dogs are for experienced dog owners, so don't you be heading toward the pet store to get one puppy on a whim, as the worst thing that shouldn't happen, is an abandonment because fancy has worn off, and would have been very contradictory to the message preached in the film.

Between the American update and the original Japanese film, no prizes for guessing that I much prefer the latter for the simple reason that it had more genuine emotions with a better focus on Hachiko, and the locale which the American "Hallmark" version just tries so hard to replicate. Good news is the Japanese film made in 1987 is now re-released locally on DVD and is available in the shops now, and hopefully, the homage paid to the original story and the dog at the end of the film would pique interest in more picking up that version to watch.

One Man & His Dog...

[Xstal · 6/10 · 27 October 2020]

It should come as no surprise that almost all the wealthiest charities represent animals and not people. Let's face it, they're as vulnerable as children! I spent sixty minutes wondering where this was going, at one point I thought it was a dog training film. Then followed a brief moment when I had to recover my posture having fallen off my chair and, while the remainder of the film did have me under some emotional turmoil, it wasn't until the final few stills that I could put into context the contrivance I'd absorbed. The saddest part is that if you replaced the dog with a child with learning difficulties this film would be long gone and forgotten.

A Highly-Rated Richard Gere Movie

[gavin6942 · 7/10 · 17 November 2014]

A drama based on the true story of a college professor (Richard Gere)'s bond with the abandoned dog he takes into his home.

Exactly how this film got into the IMDb Top 250 is something of a mystery. My guess is that there are a lot of dog lovers out there. Not that it is a bad film, but it starts off very much like an ABC Family film, and the production value never really increases.

Luckily, the plot tends to improve as it goes along, and it is clearly an emotional film. Those who are more prone to crying during movies may do a bit of crying here, because it is a great encapsulation of how loyal a dog can be to his master. As summed up by Kim Newman, "Not a dry eye in the house - but not irritating schmaltz either."

This movie is pure heart and soul

[anupd1990 · 10/10 · 27 February 2010]

This is my first ever review. I have been a reader of user reviews on IMDb for a few years and this is the first time I felt I had to write something about a film. I will try and not spoil the film for you. The film is based on a real story which took place in Japan from 1923-1935 about a dog named Hachiko who used to wait for his master's return at the train station everyday for 9 years even after his master passed away. That's the basic plot, the rest you just have to see to actually feel the story.

Just finished watching this movie yesterday and still can't get it out of my head. A feeling of sadness has engulfed me after watching this. I am at a loss for words to describe this movie as no other movie has ever touched me so deeply. I was pretty much crying and sobbing the entire second half of the film and by the time it was over, it brought me down to my knees.

Richard Gere was at his usual best but the real highlight of the film was the acting of the dogs. They were incredible in how they were able to portray the range of emotions through their facial expression and body language. The music throughout the film was brilliant too and that helped in driving home the felling of sadness and loneliness that Hachi went through.

I had a dog too and it brings back memories of how sad and depressed I felt for a month after he passed away. I have experienced such undying, unconditional love and loyalty from my dog too and it made this movie extra special for me. If there was ever a movie that I will remember for the rest of my life, this has to be it. This is a must see for any person with a heart and soul. I know I am a better person today after watching this and I am confident it might also have the same effect on some of you. Thanks for reading and do take care whoever you are. Love your dogs and always remember that he will always be there for you even in your darkest, loneliest hours.

EPIC !!! The longest sobbing i ever had for any film..

[SAMTHEBESTEST · 10/10 · 10 July 2020]

Hachi A Dog's Tale (2009) : Brief Review

EPIC !!! The longest sobbing i ever had for any film. After watching 2000+ films or may be even much more than that, after watching more than 100 tearjerkers, after watching more than 500 emotional sagas this Hachi A Dog's Tale recieved the Longest sobbing of my life. I remember so many films just because they made me cry like kid, i can name many just like that, just now but you know most of those films had that emotional roll down moments somewhere in the last scenes. It is mostly the climax where i had to use tissues but Hachi A Dog's Tale was like raining tears. I cried for approx 25 Minutes continuesly setting a new record for myself and may be for all movie buffs. I mean how emotional film it was despite the fact i tried to hold it acknowledging the fact that yes i am a movie buff and i had to look for Cinematic proportions before breaking down and fortunately there were no cinematic blunders, no mistakes in writing, no loopholes, no non-sense theories and I was all free to cry like a small kid as if i am locked in an empty room and no one's watching me, just cry out loud. And yes i did it. It is inspired from a true story of a college professor who finds an abandoned dog and he takes into his home and how the Dog sets an example to the world about loyalty. Believe me, the dog put us all humans at shame. His loyalty and emotions were far far greater and immortal than humans and this is what makes this film truly Epic. You will see many scenes proving this statement in the film. Lasse Halstrom wherever you are just take my salute and please recieve my thank you, it means a lot to me. The way you crafted this film has left me stunned and heart broken. I promise you here that sooner or later i will have a Pet and i hope it would love me just the way Hachi loved his owner. A rarest of rare 10/10* film in my List.

RATING - 10/10*

By - #samthebestest

This review is dedicated to Ricky a kitten who lived for just two months. I miss you.

[Vivekmaru45 · 10/10 · 10 July 2023]

It is fitting that all things in life comes to an end. It is sad to see someone taken before their time. But that is life. You can't do anything about it. Well my journey is also coming at an end. My heart isn't just into anything anymore.

This is my last review and from the title you can see that it is dedicated to a little kitten. A stray cat had taken residence in our home and had given birth to a pair of beautiful kittens. One died after catching a viral infection. We rescued the mother and surviving kitten who had also succumbed to the infection. I am pleased to note that mother and kitten are safe and sound and the mother cat is pregnant again.

Back to this review. It is the true story of a professor who adopts a puppy(Hachiko) and it grows to become a faithful dog that waited for his master at a train station when he left for work until he came back. One day the professor died from a heart attack and the dog did not know this fact. The dog still waited for his master for the next 9 years, 9 months and 15 days till his death. The original Hachiko Monogatari is a 1987 Japanese drama film directed by Seijiro Koyama and starring Tatsuya Nakadai, Kaoru Yachigusa, Mako Ishino and Masumi Harukawa. Hachi: A Dog's Tale is the 2009 modern remake and stars veteran actor Richard Gere in the role of the professor(Parker Wilson). The story is basically the same with minor changes to the script to adapt to the American version. Richard Gere is such a wonderful warm and loving actor. You should see An Officer And A Gentleman(1982), considered his best film. His acting in the film is professional as always. Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa(Kickboxer 2, Showdown in Little Tokyo, Mortal Kombat) and Joan Allen(Manhunter, Face/Off) have small supporting roles. The original Hachiko was a was a Japanese Akita dog.

For Ricky(2023-2023).

only because there is a dog

[ahmalavo · 6/10 · 26 December 2013]

Hachi is a very very standard movie. For the whole family. For Richard Gere fan. For dog lovers. For very young people. It's a flat story with a direction devoid of panache. If you are looking for free emotions and want to switch off the brain, HACHI is your movie. Really, i couldn't find anything special in this movie. Sure, there are no blooper in this movie, a good cast and the right screenplay, but it's not enough to make of HACHI a great movie. Morover, this is a remake of the Japan movie "HACHIKO MONOGATARI" (1987): another Holloywood version of a beautiful foreign movie. It's better to see the original. This will be forgotten in a few years.

Why?

[briancham1994 · 5/10 · 6 February 2021]

Why do I love this film and hate it at the same time? I've never had such conflicting feelings about a film. I love it because of the cute dog, optimistic yet realistic tone, the true bonds between the characters and the sheer loyalty involved. Yes, I did cry near the end. I hate it because of the blatant Hollywood emotional manipulation and the lack of any substantial plot. I simultaneously want to celebrate this as an 8/10 genuine heartwarmer (how I *feel*) and as a 3/10 artificial maudlin schlock fest (how I *think*). I've rated this a compromise that doesn't truly capture my reaction but I don't know what else to do.

A movie that can make a Stoned Heart person Cry!

[thekashif · 10/10 · 5 March 2010]

I considered myself a stoned heart person when it comes to watching emotional movies but not until I saw this movie. I am a 30 year old grown up and for the first time in my life I cant stopped myself crying. I never ever cried before during a movie but this movie is exceptional and I will not forget this movie whole my life.

I don't like dogs and I am a big time Cat lover but the scenes were extremely emotional and I am thinking that it would be better if I avoided this movie. I know one thing I ll become sad whenever I remember this movie in my life and I have a deep impact of this movie.

Its the most Emotional and Sad movie I have ever seen and I am sure it will remain the most emotional movie ever.

I give this movie 10/10 for proving me wrong that I cant Cry!

If you love your dog...watch this film.

[spocktom · 10/10 · 30 June 2010]

I watched this film with no preconceptions and not really knowing much about the story beforehand. All I knew was that it was based on real events in Japan. I deliberately didn't read the blurb on the DVD case because I wanted to "discover" the story for myself.

I have always owned and loved dogs. Some people love their cats but I'm amongst the many who just really care for their pet dogs. Now I won't spoil the story for you except to say that after a bit of a slow start this film draws you in. As another poster said...it will teach you much about the quality of love and loyalty.

I can only warn you to have plenty of tissues on hand because if you are a human being with functioning emotions you are going to cry...a lot! I am a fifty year-old "grumpy old man" but I bawled like a baby for nearly half an hour after watching this film. I also let my Staffordshire Terrier come up onto my lap (and she is VERY heavy) and I hugged her for an age! I will never look at a dog the same way again after seeing this film and I will treasure it for as long as God allows me to live.

i was searching my sunglasses as fast as i could to hide my tears rolling all over my face

[evk311 · 9/10 · 13 June 2010]

i saw this movie in an airplane, i expected some boring movie about a dog or whatever story .

when the mother saw the dog after 10 years at the station again , i didn't know how fast i was searching for my sunglasses to hide my eyes.

i was crying because of the beautiful story , i was so ashamed if anyone could see me having so much tears all over my face. i think i was just in time finding my sunglasses , nobody noticed my state of emotion while watching this movie. i think other people had the same problem . this movie makes you cry . i don't like dogs around me or near me , but this story was just too dramatic to stay cool and pretend it doesn't get you. the movie keeps going and there are no weak parts.

great movie .

Inoffensive dog film, recommended for kids

[mikeburdick · 6/10 · 3 August 2019]

Lasse Halstrom has made some lovely films over the years, such as "My Life as a Dog" and "What's Eating Gilbert Grape." While "Hachi" is a nice and decent film, it just lacks anything to make it special.

The storyline is designed to pull the heartstrings, which it does, sort of, in an extremely predictable way. However, when it comes to character development and dialogue, it has all the depth of an after-school special. Between the small talk and unrealistically perfect lives of the characters, there's hardly a genuine moment.

And despite the built-in emotionally charged subject matter, it manages to have very little drama or tension, even where there ought to be. Even the most dramatic moment in the film is telegraphed by a Richard Gere soliloquy that gives away what's about to happen.

The worst aspect, I found, was the lack of any reality when it comes to animal care. It's as if no one involved in the film has ever owned or cared for a dog, and picked up all their knowledge from watching Chaplin movies or something.

It's not a terrible film, but I'd recommend it to parents who want to share a film with their young kids that has a heart and can teach them some empathy. Probably too sappy for adults, unless you prefer your films really shallow.