Dog Days

"What is it about dogs that brings us so much joy?"

Filmology Rating: 2.5 out of 4

I usually have to pull my husband by his collar to get him to see a  "rom com".  Not this time!  That's because he loves dogs; they don't talk back or bite you when you forget to take out the garbage.  Furthermore, they're always happy to see you when you come home.  Dog Dayswas released August 8th which by no coincidence was  in the midst of the "dog days of summer."  It also came out a few weeks before National Dog Day.  Just like the holiday, Dog Days plays homage to our four legged friends. 

Directed by Ken Marino, Dog Days is one of those ensemble romantic comedies about a group of people who are interconnected.  This time however, there is a catch.  It is the dogs that help make the love connections.  Dog Days is a family friendly comedy about various dog owners in Los Angeles that will tug at your heartstrings.

There are basically four tales.  The film opens with talk show host (Nina Dobrev) being interviewed by a doggie psychologist who claims dogs have the same problems we do.   Next thing we know she is in the office of the pricey therapist because her dog Sam is "depressed" (yeah, right) after her break up with her cheating ex-boyfriend.  When ex-NFL player (Tone Bell) becomes her co- host in hopes that their love/hate banter will increase the show's ratings, she is not happy to share the spotlight.  She is also reluctant to go on a "doggy" date, but when once lethargic Sam plays gleefully with his elderly Pit Bull mix, she has second thoughts and begins to let her guard down.  Did she make the right decision?

Next there is Tara, (Vanessa Hudgens) a barista at an upscale coffee house.  Unhappy with her job, she is not singing any tunes.  She is, however, trying to score a date with hot veterinarian (Thomas Lemmon) while being pursued by a nerdy guy (Jon Bass) who runs a dog shelter.   She finds an adorable Chihuahua who she takes to be examined by the vet.  Clad in a cute pink helmet the Chihuahua ends up at the shelter because Tara lives in an apartment building that doesn't allow pets.

Tara lives in the same apartment as Dax, (Adam Pally) a slacker who forgot to show up to be the disc jockey at his sister's baby shower.  She immediately goes into labor giving birth to twins!  Overwhelmed, she gives the enormous and overly energetic dog to Dax to watch until things settle down. The intrusion of the mutt sets the scene for some of the funniest moments of the film.   Among them are the elevator scene and the scene when the dog eats the "special" brownies'  The bromance between Dax and the dog is very touching.  
 Mabel (aka Mr. Snuggles) is an overweight pug who runs away from a widower (Ron Cephas Jones from " This is Us") into the arms of a lonely little girl. The pizza delivery boy (Finn Wolfard from "Stranger Things") helps the ornery recluse search for his lost dog while the old man, a former English professor, tutors him in summer school.

Who is the teacher of this class?  You guessed it- the father of the little girl!  This leads  us  to the last plot line.  Rob Cordroy and Eva Longoria are newly adoptive parents who bring the adorable tyke home to a beautifully decorated bedroom.  They try everything to get the quiet little girl to open up, including happy faced pancakes and dance parties in the kitchen.  It is obvious they are trying just a little bit too hard.  When she finds the pooch, it's like magic.  Suddenly, she's jabbering away. "This dog made us a family", they say.  What will happen when it's time to give it back?

Dog Days, which could be renamed "Dog Actually," is about as predictable and cheesy as it gets.  But I like cheese, especially wrapped in bacon!  Luckily, some of the ad libbed comedic performances help keep the movie fresh.  I especially liked the over sharing weather forecaster.  It has a target audience of dog lovers of all ages and walks of life.  Even if you're not wild about dogs you will enjoy this heartfelt film that will make you laugh and cry, often at the same time.   The film  should come with a warning label, however.  Don't bring the little ones.  They were a bit lenient with the PG rating and your kids will be begging you for a dog, especially one from an animal shelter.  If you do decide to rescue one of these animals, keep in  mind that maybe it's not you who is doing the rescuing as the movie demonstrates.   

Come for the dogs.  Stay for the outtakes,  Working with animals is "ruff".

Rating: See It

-Margie