A Dog's Purpose
With an ensemble cast featuring Dennis Quaid, Britt Robertson (Tomorrowland) and the voice of Josh Gad (Frozen), A Dog's Purpose follows a dog as he tries to discover his purpose in life over the course of several lifetimes and owners.
- Director:
- Lasse Hallström ('What's Eating Gibert Grape', 'Chocolat', 'The Cider House Rules')
- Writer:
- Cathryn Michon
- Cast:
- Britt RobertsonJosh GadDennis QuaidPeggy LiptonK.J. ApaJuliet RylanceLuke KirbyJohn OrtizPooch Hall
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Aaron Yap
flicksIf you’re someone who’s willing to risk life and limb to photographically preserve the souls of random canine passers-by on your Instagram, it’s likely that A Dog’s Purpose would appeal to that level of fanaticism. But even so, sometimes too much is too much, and this exercise in pupper schmaltz has definitely hit my ceiling. You’ll probably find more emotionally nuanced pet clickbait around.
Vulture
pressBy the end, I was worn out by all the selfless devotion, all the joyous running across meadows and wheat fields while the camera soars as high as a dog's love for his human.
Variety
pressIt's hard to fault the movie's earnestness; Hallström's canine cinema pedigree (which includes the superior "Hachi: A Dog's Tale") shows through; and Rachel Portman's score is understandably sentimental without going completely saccharine.
Time Magazine
pressAll that reincarnating is hard work, and watching it unfold is a slog too.
Rolling Stone
pressA manipulative script about dog reincarnation that whacks your emotions like a piñata - that's forgivable. But no mercy for a film charged with canine abuse behind the scenes. It shouldn't happen to a dog.
New Zealand Herald
pressIt's hard to avoid repetition with this premise - even Bailey sounds a touch weary saying "here we go again" each time he's reincarnated.
Los Angeles Times
pressAll the emotional resonance of a dog-themed novelty coffee-table book.
Hollywood Reporter
pressWhile the human performers are more than adequate, there's no doubt that the canine stars carry the day. Their utter irresistibility helps a long way in terms of getting past the corny plot machinations of A Dog's Purpose.
Flicks, Aaron Yap
flicksIf you’re someone who’s willing to risk life and limb to photographically preserve the souls of random canine passers-by on your Instagram, it’s likely that A Dog’s Purpose would appeal to that level of fanaticism. But even so, sometimes too much is too much, and this exercise in pupper schmaltz has definitely hit my ceiling. You’ll probably find more emotionally nuanced pet clickbait around.
Vulture
pressBy the end, I was worn out by all the selfless devotion, all the joyous running across meadows and wheat fields while the camera soars as high as a dog's love for his human.
Variety
pressIt's hard to fault the movie's earnestness; Hallström's canine cinema pedigree (which includes the superior "Hachi: A Dog's Tale") shows through; and Rachel Portman's score is understandably sentimental without going completely saccharine.
Time Magazine
pressAll that reincarnating is hard work, and watching it unfold is a slog too.
Rolling Stone
pressA manipulative script about dog reincarnation that whacks your emotions like a piñata - that's forgivable. But no mercy for a film charged with canine abuse behind the scenes. It shouldn't happen to a dog.
New Zealand Herald
pressIt's hard to avoid repetition with this premise - even Bailey sounds a touch weary saying "here we go again" each time he's reincarnated.
Los Angeles Times
pressAll the emotional resonance of a dog-themed novelty coffee-table book.
Hollywood Reporter
pressWhile the human performers are more than adequate, there's no doubt that the canine stars carry the day. Their utter irresistibility helps a long way in terms of getting past the corny plot machinations of A Dog's Purpose.
Share