DOG

US, 2022, 101 minutes, Colour.

Channing Tatum, Ethan Suplee, Jane Adams, Kevin Nash.

Directed by Reid Carolin, Channing Tatum.

Nearly everybody says they love a dog film. But, the dogs can range from Lassie to Cujo! So it is probably best to say that this is not a cute doggie, nice film. Rather, it is an entertaining and interesting film about a dog who has experienced war action, been decorated, and is on her last journey. Her name is Lulu. She is a Belgian Malinois military working dog.

The opening credits are quite arresting, pages turning in a scrapbook about Lulu, photos, comments, her exploits in war, working with a Ranger. Now the Ranger is dead and the family would like Lulu to be present at the funeral in Nogales, Arizona. However, Lulu has given up on flying and it is necessary for her to travel overland. Which makes the film something of a road movie.

The other star of the film is Channing Tatum who over overcomes the warning that an actor should not work with animals or children. He works very well with Lulu. And his role here fits him perfectly.

He plays Jackson Briggs, also a former Ranger, serving up hotdogs in a diner, taking out the garbage, but continually phoning the authorities with the request to come back to work. They seem to be adamant that he cannot. And, it does emerge, that is suffering from some aspects of the PTSD. However, he is of a dislike chance for re-consideration if you will take Lulu from Oregon to Arizona.

No, there is not a cuddly relationship between the two at the outset. Lulu is large, has to wear a muscle, goes into a canine range of her ears are touched, strains on a leash. She is not going to be an easy passenger. In fact, at time she get loose, and enjoys savaging the upholstery on the front seats of the truck.

What follows is a range of generally offbeat situations along the way. At one stage Jackson would like some female company, chats up some women in a bar who do not respond well, becomes involved with a type of New Age Couple, who is strong on detecting energies and want to apply their methods to Jackson. Q upset by Lulu.

Interestingly, along the American highways, there are a number of New Age characters and psychics. Entertaining is the episode where Lulu breaks free, races into a marijuana hothouse, Jackson stunned by a dart, the owner suspecting that this is a police raid. Actually, it turns into a pleasant conversation, and the wife, psychic, detecting all kinds of futures for Jackson and Lulu.

There is a visit to San Francisco. And there is a visit to Los Angeles, a surprise when Jackson goes to visit his wife and daughter from whom he seems estranged. But, the main episode in Los Angeles is is pretending to be blind, with Lulu as a guide dog, getting sympathetic treatment from the hotels staff for veterans, dog and companion getting a luxury apartment gratis. Just as a seems to be going well, Lulu races off, creates mayhem with Jackson finishing up in jail, tangling with an unsympathetic police officer who had previously been an MP.

Of course, by this time, what we were anticipating is beginning to happen, the bonding, truck breaking down, a lift from Hispanic farmers, ultimately Jackson carrying Lulu on his shoulders into the funeral.

By this stage, audiences may well feel very cheery at the funeral, especially with Lulu lying down near the shoes of the dead Ranger.

Much more likeable than we might have anticipated.

1. A dog story? A different dog story? Comic, serious?
2. A road film, West Coast scenery, travelling South, San Francisco, the coast, Los Angeles, to Arizona, Nogales and the funeral? The musical score, the range of popular songs? Connection with the military?
3. The credits, the album for Lulu, photos, texts, tributes? The visual impact of Lulu? Audiences retaining this throughout the film?
4. The folks on Jackson Briggs, Ranger service, action, collaboration with the Rangers, with Rodriguez, the dogs? Attacks, injuries? Post-traumatic stress disorder? His working in the diner, the surly kid? With the rubbish, the phone calls, wanting to reenlist, his being put off? The attitudes of the authorities? His urging, visits, out of date pass?
5. The presentation of the military authorities, their personalities, strict, rules? The contrast with the men getting together, drinking, memories, singing? Camaraderie?
6. Jackson and the task, the death of Rodriguez, driving into a tree? The funeral plans? Lulu to be present, unable to fly, to go by car? Jackson’s task?
7. Channing Tatum’s portrait of Jackson, age, experience, PS TD, memories? The revelation of his marriage, his daughter, living in Los Angeles, estranged? His physical health, mental health, medication?
8. Lulu, the plans, service, reputation, to the funeral, for Rodriguez parents? Then to be put down?
9. The road trip, the farcical aspects, especially with Gus and his wife, Lulu’s in the marijuana, the dart, tied up, getting loose? Gus, big, apprehensive, learning how to get loose from knots? His wife, the aura? The connection with Gus? Mockery of the idea – yet taken seriously?
10. Jackson, going to the bars, keeping Lulu in the car, the various women in the bar, is talking, their ditching him? The two women, the psychic powers, energies, going home, the process, Lulu loose, the women apprehensive?
11. Various episodes along the way, bonding with Lulu? The dangers, touching her ears, fierce, in the back of the truck, tearing up the seats?
12. San Francisco, the tour?
13. Going to Los Angeles, Jackson and the visit to his wife, the audience not seeing the conversation, his leaving with the Tory, giving it to Lulu to Savage?
14. Meeting up with Noah, wife and family, the other dog? The discussions, the reminiscences, the barbecue? Jackson learning how to deal with Lulu, of the training?
15. The robbery, the two dogs sniffing, under the peer, finding the possessions, the vagrant, his being ex-military and his calling out?
16. The arrest, in the cell, the discussion with the policeman, MP, seeming to be supportive, Jackson and his insult, the police officer? Upset? Being let go?
17. Two dog owners, the breakdown, on the road, the lift from the Hispanic farmers, Lulu exhausted, Jackson carrying her, the arrival of the funeral?
18. The funeral, the ceremony, the parents, the priest speaking, the rifle salute, Lulu going to Rodrigo issues? The aftermath, with each of the parents?
19. Going to the base, the outdated pass, discussions about Lulu, to be put down, Jackson and his attachment, the consequences, Lulu rehabilitating him? And reunited with his family?
20. An emotional film, the man and the dog, antagonism, the bonding, the emotions of the funeral, hope?