Dog Years

I can't believe how much I was affected by this movie. I rarely if ever cry watching a movie, and this one brought tears to my eyes. Watching Burt Reynolds examine his life made me think of my own. The mistakes I've made. The joys I've experienced. And how much I regretably just let pass me by. This is possibly one of the best movies I've seen in a long time.

Given the difficulties and constraints of completing a project like this, I was pleasantly surprised. Solid performances by all, both legendary and fresh talent. A few scenes struggled, but in general an enjoyable romp down memory lane for Vic Edwards the character and Burt Reynolds the actor.

Burt Reynolds plays a version of himself (he even interacts with his old movies) and the film delivers not only huge laughs but also has an emotional center that at times make you hate then love the main character in the span of a few seconds.

In this film an older actor is invited to a film festival to pick up his life achievement award. This prompts him to do some serious soul searching. Along the way he realizes how lucky he was and most of see the errors of his life.

Well worth seeing.

Burt was my hero growing up for many of the reasons why many other guys liked him: his charisma, charm, smarmy attitude, rogue behavior and wit. He had qualities that so many stars lack. In his most personal role ever he recounts the pivotal cornerstones of his life, the good times. the bad times and the success which also destroyed much of what he cherished. The most touching part comes at the end where he addresses the audience at his award ceremony with painful honesty and humility. It's definitely a humanistic picture where we see a former icon come to terms with himself. Worth a look.

Quite honestly I was prepared to dislike this movie. I couldn't pin down exactly why but was I very wrong. I was extremely touched with this thought provoking look at celebrity and age. I have not seen any actor portray their aging with such honesty in their later movies. Reynolds was fabulous and still as blunt and straight forward in his approach to the part as he has before in most of his movies. Ariel Winter, whose character I detested at the beginning, did an excellent job as Reynolds escort at a film festival in Nashville. His life story was a learning experience for her and a teaching lesson on how growing older comes with trials, tribulations, and regrets which she could learn from as she goes on with her own life. Wonderful acting by both, and a must see movie. Simply put, I think it's the best work Reynolds has ever done.