YEAR OF THE DOG (2007)

Written & Directed By: Mike White 
Cinematography By: Tim Orr 
Editor: Dody Dorn 


Cast: Molly Shannon, Laura Dern, Peter Sarsgaard, John C. Reilly, Regina King, Josh Pais, Thomas McCarthy, Liza Weil, Christy Lynn Moore 


Peggy is single, childless, in her 40s, a lonely executive assistant in a friendly office. Her dog Pencil is the love of her life, and when he dies after eating some sort of toxin, Peggy's life spins out of her control: a friendly neighbor invites her for dinner; a friendly staff member at her vet's calls with an abused dog he recommends she adopt - she does, and also finds herself attracted to this fellow. She becomes a vegan, supports animal-rights causes, and embroils her brother's young children in these concerns. Saving dogs and other animals become such a passion that her mental health and her job may be in danger. Are regaining control and finding love beyond her reach?

The screenplay for this film was featured in the 2006 Blacklist; a list of the "most liked" unmade scripts of the year. You can see why as there are a bunch of ideas here. They just aren’t brought to the surface with any passion or a kind of lackadaisical interest or effort.

A good title for this film that would just about sum up the film's storyline is Birth of An Activist.

This film has all the things you would expect from a Mike White film. Strong quirky characters, witty dialogue, sadness a character study above all else. But that is also the problem with this film. It’s that it never really goes one way or another. It's like the film stays stuck in neutral.

You have engaging performances by talented character actors. A chance for Molly Shannon to shine, quirky situations galore but they seem almost like they have nothing to do with anything overall. They feel like wasted opportunities.

Now the film is entertaining. While it touches on loneliness and venturing out of your element . Trying to engage in social interaction that was so easy before but is awkward and difficult now. People putting down what you believe in. When you decide to change. How all the people around you want you to go back to the you they remember, but is not in you anymore. When loss occurs how it affects you, but the world around you keeps it's normal pace. When you like someone but Don't feel the same way. All of these things are dealt with, but still seems to barely leave an impression.

Which is what disappoints about the film the most.

I had high hopes for this film. Which is a nice film and a satisfying rental. I have listed some of the good things about it from the subjects it deals with. If you like animals and maybe a vegan you really will like the film and It’s Minor politics. As this film seems to follow a character dealing with loss and finding a new passion and waking with that loss.

A special note must be made for actress Laura Dern who is funny and scary as an overprotective sister in law to Molly Shannon and for Regina king as Shannon's desperate to get married friend. The two of them are in fine form. As is Molly Shannon who finally gets her chance to show her magic and talents as a lead and impress viewers.

I only wish the film matched all their talents. So this could show they are all a force to be reckoned with. Thankfully the cast succeeds beyond the material.

For writer-Director Mike White this film is a step up and beyond than THE GOOD GIRL. One still enjoys and has hope for future Mike White films. After all this was his directorial debut.

So that his film counts as a quirky feel good movie with a strange vibe. That never quite comes together the way it should. Though that might be on purpose to stay off beat.

Grade: B-