The first A DOG’S PURPOSE was a gooey, family-friendly tear-jerker, but this 50-something dog-lover fell right into its heartfelt paws and it ended up on my top ten list of 2017’s best films. It told the story of one devoted dog who discovers the meaning of his own existence by dropping dead every half hour or so (after his life has run its course) and becoming reincarnated as a newborn pup with a diverse series of new owners. Josh Gaad voiced the hound and while the first film was like an episodic panorama of America as viewed through a dog’s innocent eyes, the sequel offers up a different narrative structure. A DOGS JOURNEY focuses on Clarity Jane (fortunately shortened to CJ), the step-granddaughter of Dennis Quaid’s returning Ethan, and all of the different dogs (who have the same soul and are again voiced by Gaad) who guard and comfort her through good and bad as she grows up. Does lightning strike twice for this franchise? I’m happy to report the answer to that question is a resounding yes. A DOGS JOURNEY is a surprise e, a sensitive and ambitious story well-told, and the best film I’ve seen this year
We first meet CJ as a toddler, living on the Michigan farm with her grandparents Ethan and Hannah (Quaid with Marge Helgenberger replacing Peggy Lipton), her recently-widowed young mother Gloria (Betty Gilpin), and the aging St. Bernard Bailey. Much to her parents’ dismay, Gloria is less interested in raising CJ than she is drinking wine and having fun. After an argument with the older couple, Gloria storms out with her daughter, but Ethan (who, you’ll recall, is in on this whole reincarnation thing) asks the dying Bailey to promise to keep cominging back as CJ’s life-long protector.
The nextchapter finds 11 -year old CJ (Abby Fortson) now living in a house in Chicago withher mother Gloria, a boozed-up, disengaged mess. When not trying on tackyoutfits, she offers her daughter misguided advice like “Life is harder whenyou’re chubby”, and leaves her alone to go out on dates. CJ adopts Molly, abeagle who helps get her through her teen years, not just the horrible dynamicswith her mom but some rough times with a surly-bad boyfriend. Molly alsodevelops the fine dog art of cancer-sniffing (which comes in handy later in thefilm). At some point in this chapter Kathryn Prescott takes over as CJ for therest of the film and is quite good.
After Molly bitesthe dust, she comes back as a tubby Rottweiler named ‘Big Dog’ who lives in arural convenience store in Tennessee with old Joe, who feeds him a steady dietof Slim Jims and Cheetos. This sequence does little to move the story, thoughit does establish that CJ is moving to New York City to start a singing career(she just happens to stop by this out-of-the-way store on her way there). It’sthe shortest chapter but a sweet vignette.
Once Big Dog isout of the picture (likely from coronary disease), we come to the film’s final(and longest) chapter. CJ is now in NYC, living with her unsupportive boyfriendBarry (Kevin Claydon) working as a dog walker, writing songs and strumming herguitar (she lacks the self-confidence to actually audition for a gig). Thedog’s soul has transmigratedto a Yorkshire Terrier named Max who has his work cut out for him. He must getCJ to dump Barry for childhood friend Trent (Henry Lau – who just happens tolive in her building), believe in her musical career, reunite her with not onlyher mother, but also her grandparents, and he has to diagnose Trent’s cancer!
This all may sound mawkish, but even cynics will find their heartstrings well-tugged by A DOGS JOURNEY. Sure, the necessary scripted coincidences getting this same dog back to CJ as she crosses the country are contrived, but the stretches are forgivable under the circumstances. There’s a lot of story and characters and drama in the film and director Gail Mancuso does a great job keeping the balls in the air. Finally, to single out Dennis Quaid, always a terrific actor who can elevate the lamest of material (see my review of THE INTRUDER from just two weeks ago). Quaid has limited screen time in A DOGS JOURNEY, but the work he does with this great script is remarkable, especially in the final 10 minutes, when Ethan is in his mid-80s. Usually these types of aged characters don’t work, no matter the make-up artist’s skill, but Quaid nails the old coot in award-worthy fashion. A DOGS JOURNEY is one you can’t miss.
5 of 5 Stars
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