It's National Dog Day today apparently, as learned via the numerous posts about it clogging up my Twitter feed. As a result, Universal saw this as the perfect opportunity to serve up a trailer for A DOG'S PURPOSE, the latest in a long tradition of talking animal movies. However, upon closer look at Lasse Hallström's film, there's something more going on here than a cutesy puppy causing all sorts of trouble chewing on the couch or peeing where he's not supposed to.
Instead, A DOG'S PURPOSE tells the story of one dog who keeps getting reincarnated as he learns new lessons about himself and the people he crosses path with along the way.
Based on the beloved bestselling novel by W. Bruce Cameron, A Dog’s Purpose, from director Lasse Hallström (The Cider House Rules, Dear John, The 100-Foot Journey), shares the soulful and surprising story of one devoted dog (voiced by Josh Gad) who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love. The family film told from the dog’s perspective also stars Dennis Quaid, Peggy Lipton, Britt Robertson, K.J. Apa, Juilet Rylance, Luke Kirby, John Ortiz and Pooch Hall.
This might be better than I expected from a talking dog movie, as the film gets really existential on a dog's true purpose, of which there are many depending upon the breed, the owner, etc. There certainly are a few lighter moments (Who doesn't like jokes about the deliciousness of bacon?), but A DOG'S PURPOSE feels like one of those pictures that is going to have you in the car bawling your eyes out at how awesome your dog is. I might actually have to make it a point to watch this.
A DOG'S PURPOSE opens on January 27.