REVIEW: ‘Dog Days’
What is it about dogs that brings us so much joy?
A new film explores the human/dog connection and how it intertwines with our everyday relationships.
When it comes to script, ‘Dog Days‘ is as predictable as it gets when it comes to a romantic comedy.
But, what it does differently than other movies of its genre is intertwine two, maybe three, concurrent storylines – which I both liked and didn’t like.
Set in Los Angeles, the multiple storylines begin with Elizabeth (Nina Dobrev) who is a charming but rigid newscaster settling into single life after she and her pooch caught her boyfriend cheating. After interviewing a dog therapist on air, Elizabeth starts seeing the therapist for her “dog,” because he’s obviously not taking the breakup well.
And, on top of all her drama, the lone anchor is forced to co-anchor her show with the super-hot, super-sweet former NFL star Jimmy Johntson (Tone Bell).
The second storyline is about Tara (Vanessa Hudgens), a spunky barista who spends her days dreaming of a life beyond the coffee shop with the hunky narcissistic vet Dr. Mike (Michael Cassidy). Tara gets her in with Dr. Hottie when she rescues a stray dog.
And, the less obvious storyline is about Dax (Adam Pally), the dubbed irresponsible man-child, who finds himself having to grow up and take care of his sister’s dog when she delivers twins.
I don’t want to give away any spoilers here, but we all know how romantic comedies work, right?
Tension, tension, tension, breakup, emotional awakening, happy ending.
The best part of having more than one storyline is that there’s likely a character anyone would relate to – for me it was an injured chihuahua. The worst part is that any time spent on these other characters, which also includes a couple adopting a child and a lonely old man who loses his dog, is time not spent on character development.
However, I will say that if you’re looking for a movie that is familiar, that will make you laugh, and that will give you one hour and fifty minutes of no care-in-the-world syndrome; this is it.