The Dog Wedding

Saw the Dog Wedding in preview in Boston...what a fun night! It seemed that this movie had something for everyone. A beautiful businesswoman, a lovable wrestler and two lonely Bulldogs. It covered the struggles of relationships and romance, both human and dog, while it incorporated wrestling and business wranglings into the mix. I enjoyed seeing how two unlikely people could be brought together by their pets and the twists and turns that their encounters take, all the while providing insights into the dilemma of a pickle factory. This movie shows how the search for happiness can cross many lines and prevail through their pets. A funny, quirky and unconventional experience.

Sitting in the front row for the New York City premiere of The Dog Wedding movie, nothing appeared out of the norm: These are my people, I mused. These people know that dogs are family, they bring them to posh cinematic happenings, and once they've walked the red pink carpet with their coutured canines, they settle into theater seats. Displaying your affection (and addiction) to canines is the new norm, and thank DOG for that!

Jason Hurwitz gets it. Matthew Bloom knows it. And Rosalie Thomass has recently discovered it. The Dog Wedding movie is making its rounds on a city-by-city tour before its release to the general public on, yep, you guessed it: Valentine's Day 2016. This isn't your bark-out-loud rom-com for dog lovers that the movie's trailer and associated promotional posters want you to believe it is. Sure, there are dogs in it, as the vehicles that unite a love story of a female German pickle entrepreneur and a hulky muscleman who body slams and pile drives his way into her heart. A modern day romance with a few dogs as catalysts for Cupid's arrow.

The movie stars Matthew Bloom as wrestler Matthew "The Manimal" Pierce. The German businesswoman, Ulrika Schmidt, played by German actress Rosalie Thomass, is sent to the states by her domineering father to shut down a family-owned pickle factory.

In my interview with Hurwitz prior to seeing movie, my expectations were geared more for canine giggles and puns, but the flick is far more than that.

Surprising, whimsical, hallucinatory, belly laugh inducing, will they or won't they: Emotions and affectations viewers can expect to encounter during this 90+ minute thrill ride.

"It was quirky and different and I couldn't wait to see what would happen to the main characters," my spouse told me afterwards.

Exactly. So very much that. Exactly.

Highly recommend this film to dog lovers, wrestling fans, and general cinephiles. It's a fun and quirky rom-com about a clash of cultures and two pet-owners who go to extremes to celebrate their love for animals and eventually find romance. Set in the mystical landscape of Arizona, the story takes you on a peyote trip and underscores a need to support the disenfranchised Native American population. There's even a skosh of Japanese culture represented in the musice score and cosplay. Did I mention a pickle factory? Very eccentric film. Especially loved how it reverses gender roles of the two protagonists without stereotyping. The title sequence with dozens of dog photos in fancy tuxedos and wedding gowns was very well done. Can't wait to see the sequel!

I have seen a lot of movies in my day! But a dog wedding? Come on! Matt bloom who was once know as Albert, A-Train, Big daddylicious and so many more names in the squared circle is probably the GREATEST ACTOR OF ALL TIME. I mean the guy is just too good for his role. This is a heartfelt masterpiece, did I cry a little bit? Maybe. But that just shows that this is the greatest romcom of all time. The jokes in this are perfect, the romance is out of this world and the guy owns a pickle factory or something like that..

How much more can I say? How much more can I say? Hoe much more can I say? How much more can I say?

Sincerely, Not a bot.

The Japanese elements were so unique. With that came a fun and unique soundtrack. The composition was brilliantly visual. I loved the colors against the desert pallet. The big burly wrestlers, so sweet, and that was a surprise! So many great little pieces of authenticity in the native characters. great humor -- so many hysterical moments. The dog bits were such a delight. I loved the opening credits, very charming, which foretold the tone of the film. And on top of all that, I was captivated by a powerful story about a girl trapped in her own life. This has all the makings of a really fun cult classic. I would love to see a theater of people watching, dressed up like the characters. so fun! The world needs more fun silliness filled with authentic truth. Well done!