Fun lightweight film with some emotional bits but enough dog scenes for children to enjoy. The lead character is likeable, interesting and strong. Really nice to see a scene where a lady tells a handsome, yet arrogant leading man what she really thinks of him in a classy way. And a good range of supporting characters who added just enough to compliment the main story.
I just felt it was a bit muddled plot wise with some scenes near the end rushing to pull all the strands together at the very last second. And some subplots almost thrown away or sorted with a single line, e.g. the love story where after a bit of a false start, suddenly he's off limits and then this obstacle is removed with an explanation lasting one line at a totally unconnected moment not even involving the lead character who is one half of the romantic pair. A student who has their moment winning a race, gets a lame compliment from the PE teacher and then nothing is suggested for afterwards. The lead character's family scenes don't seem to add much at all yet receive a lot of time near the end achieving nothing.
There were elements of rom-com, buddy movie, animal caper type films but not enough of either to make it a resounding success at any one of them. Therefore may have elements that don't appeal to an audience looking specifically for those things. My 7yr old daughter likes the dog bits but got bored quite quickly in between which were longer than we expected when the film is named after him. I liked the idea of the lead character having a fresh start then suddenly having to involve a dog but just felt it didn't feel tidily seen through.
I just felt it was a bit muddled plot wise with some scenes near the end rushing to pull all the strands together at the very last second. And some subplots almost thrown away or sorted with a single line, e.g. the love story where after a bit of a false start, suddenly he's off limits and then this obstacle is removed with an explanation lasting one line at a totally unconnected moment not even involving the lead character who is one half of the romantic pair. A student who has their moment winning a race, gets a lame compliment from the PE teacher and then nothing is suggested for afterwards. The lead character's family scenes don't seem to add much at all yet receive a lot of time near the end achieving nothing.
There were elements of rom-com, buddy movie, animal caper type films but not enough of either to make it a resounding success at any one of them. Therefore may have elements that don't appeal to an audience looking specifically for those things. My 7yr old daughter likes the dog bits but got bored quite quickly in between which were longer than we expected when the film is named after him. I liked the idea of the lead character having a fresh start then suddenly having to involve a dog but just felt it didn't feel tidily seen through.