A touching story of an Army Ranger who is tasked with driving a military dog to her owner’s funeral, Dog is a unique buddy comedy with heart.
When this first came out in movie theaters, my dad took my son to see it. My son was a teenager, and they had a great time. When they came home, I asked what they thought. They both enjoyed it a lot, but weren’t sure how I would feel about it. So, I added it to my watchlist and am only getting around to watching it now. I’m glad I did!
Dog is about Army Ranger Jackson Briggs, a man who lives with both physical and psychological battle scars and is desperately hoping to get back into the field, but can’t because of a traumatic brain injury. After learning of his friend Rodriguez’s death, the Captain offers that if Briggs can safely deliver Rodriguez’s out-of-control military dog, Lulu, to his funeral in 5 days, the Captain will put in a call for Briggs to return to service.
I really enjoyed this film, and it got better the longer I watched. Channing Tatum, who is always charming on screen (and also co-directed this film), does a good job of showing both Briggs’s bravado and vulnerability, all while managing self-importance because of his status as a ranger.
Both Briggs and Lulu are injured individuals, although they display their pain in different ways. Briggs spends a lot of time avoiding personal connections, while you get the feeling that Lulu, whose best friend is gone, needs connection and love more than ever. They both do.
Dog is a road trip comedy, so there are obstacles, new people to contend with, and some insights into both Briggs’s and Lulu’s family members. A few of the vignettes are a little silly, but most are more thought-provoking and deep. The farther you get into the film, the more true that becomes.
If you are a dog lover, you’re going to love this film. Lulu is incredibly lovable, and she has tons of screentime. There were moments that I wanted to shake Briggs and let him know what Lulu needed, but, you know, he had to learn that for himself. And it’s a movie. He wouldn’t have heard me.
There is a theme that runs throughout the movie about what a “military hero” looks like, and it has stuck with me after watching it. Is it the military member who stayed in the field because his injuries weren’t documented? Is it the one who got the Purple Heart and was required to head home? Is it the homeless vet who struggles with mental illness? Is it the person who stands proudly while screaming inside? I leave this film firmly believing it’s all of them.
Dog is about two military members just trying to make it together. I laughed and I cried, so while you may first think that it’s a buddy comedy, I have to tell you, it’s actually quite a bit more.
Runtime: 101 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: PG-13
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes
Did I Cry? Yes, twice
My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Available: Free on Netflix, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
When this first came out in movie theaters, my dad took my son to see it. My son was a teenager, and they had a great time. When they came home, I asked what they thought. They both enjoyed it a lot, but weren’t sure how I would feel about it. So, I added it to my watchlist and am only getting around to watching it now. I’m glad I did!
