We Think the World of You

This is a good movie and it is especially enjoyable if you love dogs as I do. I never read the novel but I first saw this film years ago, and finally bought the video recently. To my surprise, the film now seems a little dated and even a little bit slow in parts. (But to be fair, American movies tend to move so quickly that many British and European films seem slow by contrast.) Alan Bates is terrific in the story of a middle-aged bureaucrat whose male lover betrays him for love of a female. When Bates agrees reluctantly to make sure his lover's dog is cared for while his lover is in prison, he finds himself really starting to care for the dog himself. Some funny visuals and a satisfying ending make for one good movie.

Alan Bates and Gary Oldman star in this film about a dog called Evie that changes their lives. Johnny (Oldman) is sent to jail, and leaves his dog, Evie, with his poor old parents, who barely have time to walk her, and Johnny's stepfather abuse the creature. Frank (Bates) is Johnny's "friend", or more precisely his ex-lover, (although this isn't spelt out as such in the film) who befriends Evie, and is frustrated by her treatment. Frank begins to attempt to get Evie away from Johnny's parents, and he becomes quite attached to the dog. He struggles to gain contact to Johnny, to advice him about the dog's treatment. Eventually Evie becomes the central issue in their lives.

To say the least, 'We Think the World of You' is fairly well acted by both Alan Bates and one of my favorite actors, Gary Oldman. But the film doesn't really go anywhere for me. I was even confused as to what time period it was set in. Based on the novel by J.K. Ackerly which I've never read, 'We Think the World of You' doesn't provide enough interest as a film. It touches a little on how to treat a dog, and a little on the reasons why owners love their pets so much- and even put up with their misbehavior, but as a story 'We Think the World of You' is hardly compelling and some plot points are never quite tied up- leaving the viewer unsatisfied. I also think the film felt longer than it's running time! **1/2 out of *****!

Despite Alan Bates' undeniably personal affiliation to the part of Frank Meadows, and director Colin Cregg's desire to tell a perceptive story about the difficulties of life as a homosexual in post-war Britain, We Think the World of You is a greatly unsatisfactory film which turns into little more than a whining version of Lassie with a gay twist if you like. Much of the blame is Cregg's, who angles his story badly, with too much seen from the point of view of Frank, and he also goes for an easygoing, semi-humorous tone which is perplexing at best, downright annoying at worst, and certainly never funny. There's a lot of potential in both these characters, and especially Gary Oldman's Johnny is underdeveloped, but we're not really given any reason to sympathize with any of them, and in the end, it all becomes a wretched one-dog show.

There is nothing so disappointing as getting a movie version of a novel you like only to find out the story has been changed substantially and the cinematic version is horrid. I am a new fan of Ackerley. I am pleased to say the movie follows the novel and it was a delight to see it come to life in the screen version. Everyone in the cast is outstanding and the plot moves along quickly so the viewer is never bored. I would not hesitate to recommend this movie to anyone who admires J.R. Ackerley. I even enjoyed the fact that the look and feel of the movie seem dated which helped transport me back pretty close to the time it was supposed to happen.

I saw this movie back when it came out. I was in high school and knew absolutely nothing about it. I knew nothing about the director, the cast, that it was based on a book, nothing. I remember it even today, over a decade later, as one of the best films I've seen. I recommend everyone see it. It is what independent cinema used to be, before it turned into the vast disappointment it currently is.