A Dog Year

For me the most important aspect of Jeff Bridges as an actor, is he is believable and real. I don't know if I would have rated the film any higher without his performance as Jon Katz the main character in the story. The film style is simplistic but projects a realistic view of what it's like to have a highly active and abused dog. What is most memorable to me are the few simple scenes that Jeff Bridges shares with Devon. I was so pleased that he filmmaker did not take a "Disney" format approach to the subject and presented in its true from.

If there is one criticism I have with the film is that I'm never explained the psyche of the main character Jon Katz. Why is he stubborn and unyielding and refusing to listen to other people's advice. We are told that he is an "mad" by the trainer but there is no evidence or background to support this.

These to me are minor points but worth mentioning. In all it was a very believable and realistic approach to the subject.

This was okay, not great but interesting especially as a dog lover and watchable because of Jeff Bridges. He plays a writer who impulsively adopts an energetic border collie that turns his already frantic midlife crisis even crazier. Why is he having a midlife crisis, we never get to know. He is separated from his wife, why? The movie never tells. Jeff takes his new dog and rents a dilapidated farmhouse, where he begins to repair himself and the dog with random interactions with the townsfolk.

The biggest problem this movie has is the absence of a backstory or any kind of satisfying resolution, yup this movie just ends. you never find out why the writer is depressed and angry like he is, or why he's separated from his wife (interestingly voiced by his Starman wife Karen Allen) We never get to know the back story of the dog or if anyone in this is stable at the end. Very frustrating. I will say that the dog actually acts like a real dog, a bored dog who's had zero training. Bridges is also useless with the training.

While watching 'A Dog Year', I was once again sure to say, that I am a Jeff Bridges fanatic, and he is a Legend. Bridges has completed 40 years in Hollywood as an Actor, and yet he enjoys a fan-following around the globe, and keeps surprising himself and his fans with performances that are performed with absolute flourish.

'A Dog Year', based on a book, tells the story of a man suffering from a midlife crisis, who takes in a dog that's crazier than he is. His relationship with his pet, his realizations, his ark, are wonderfully executed. It's a charming film. George LaVoo's direction is good.

Jeff Bridges embodies his part and rules the show. As Jon Katz, the Academy-Award Winning Actor delivers a performance that can silence even his worst critics. It's an astonishing act, that needs to be applauded by each and everyone.

Verdict - Though a charming story, I'd say Watch it for Jeff Bridges, he empowers the show and leaves you in awe of him. Bravo!

Jon Katz (Jeff Bridges) is under pressured to write his next book. He's alone with two dogs. His wife has left him and his daughter Emma (Lauren Ambrose) is away at college. A fan sends him a rescue Border Collie named Devon for him to help. Devon has been abused and is unmanageable. Emma returns to find a mess. Devon continues to chase school buses. Jon rents a farmhouse to write in isolation. Local handyman Anthony Armstrong (Domhnall Gleeson) sends him to dog trainer Lois Blair (Lois Smith).

This is based on Jon Katz's book about his real life with his rescued border collie. This is a little too bare bones. There isn't any drama. There isn't much story. There is a bit of character but it would be better to fill it out more. This could have given him a scene with his wife at the beginning. This could have given a sense of what he writes about. His scenes with his daughter are great but this needs more.

Having no prior knowledge that this movie was based on a year of the writer's own life - I thought it was going to turn out to be some wretched gangster movie with a dog thrown in. Thankfully it wasn't. But, it wasn't much of anything else either. At odd times it looked like it was going to lead somewhere...then, would take a dive. There were one or two nice dog/owner moments - the promise of a training session to add another dimension but, that goes nowhere either. Then it fades out - 'The End' what?

All looks like someone trying to prove they could make a tele-movie but forgot about the importance of a script with a complete story. Pity, it's the tail wagging the dog I'm afraid. Some reviewers hinted that only country folk would understand this tale, well maybe only those who have been in the country alone, for too long, and no longer understand the purpose of a story to go with their visuals. Only for the very easily pleased. Still, suppose it could have been worse, although not sure how much.