FLUKE

US, 1995, 91 minutes, Colour.
Matthew Modine, Nancy Travers, Eric Stoltz, Max Pomeranc, Samuel L. Jackson.
Directed by Carlo Carlei.

Fluke is based on a fantasy novel by James Herbert. It is difficult to tell whether the fantasy is more for children or for adults. Adults will find it quite an enjoyable and satisfying fantasy.

Matthew Modine plays an executive and an inventor who clashes with his partner, Eric Stoltz. As they drive along the highway, there is a crash and Modine is killed. His soul travels and eventually goes into the body of a mixed-breed dog. The rest of the film is the story of how the dog tries to get back to the family, remembers his past life, realises that he was to blame for upsets with his wife and the clash with his friend. He had become too ambitious and greedy. It was he who caused the crash on the highway.

As a doggy film, the film is also entertaining as Fluke gets his nickname from people who find him, a barman, a bag lady, all of whom look after him. He also meets another dog, Rumbo, voiced by Samuel L. Jackson, a worldly-wise dog. Nancy Travers portrays Modine's wife, is puzzled by the behaviour of the dog, gradually comes to realise that it is her dead husband trying to make some kind of atonement for what he had done.

There are plenty of enjoyable sequences with the dog, playing with his son, being fond of his wife. The audience wants his wife to be able to understand that this is her husband in the dog.

An unusual kind of film, an adult and children's fantasy.

1. The appeal of the film? To adults, to children, to dog lovers? Sufficient ingredients to satisfy everyone?

2. The credibility of the plot, reincarnation, humans coming back as dogs or other animals? Having a consciousness, being able to speak, being able to communicate with other humans in animal form? Audience willing suspension of disbelief?

3. The opening, the rivalry between Thomas and Jeff, audiences tending to blame Jeff, careening along the highway, the crash? Thomas and his soul going into the light, going into the dog?

4. The character of Fluke, Thomas having to cope with being inside a dog, acting as a dog, meeting Rumbo, their friendship, Rumbo giving advice on how to be a dog in all aspects? While remaining human? His going and meeting the man in the diner, getting food, friendship? The bag lady and his being with her, the sadness of her death? His decision to try to find his family? The journey back home? A dog's journey?

5. Carol, the sad widow, her love for her husband? His son Brian and his memories of his father? Jeff, his friendship, turning up in the house - to Fluke's dismay? Fluke and his observing what was going on, his vague memories, his sharing the life of the family, the puzzle by Carol of the dog's behaviour, the police, the diner man giving information? Carol's gradual realisation of who he was? The reconciliation, his love for his son? The memories coming back, a kind of purgatory experience as he realised his selfishness, knew what he had done, the clash with Jeff, causing his own death?

6. The character of Rumbo, as a dog, his worldly-wise and street-wise ways? Sharing the adventures with Fluke? His return as a squirrel and the continued friendship?

7. The portrait of Carol as wife and mother, Brian as the loving son - and the details of their ordinary life making them credible characters?

8. Jeff, a good man, audience suspicion of him initially, the change of attitude, his kindness towards the family?

9. The comedy aspects of the film in its conception, in the dog action, in the dogs talking, in Fluke trying to get his family to understand who he was?

10. An unusual but entertaining comedy drama?