All for the Dog's Sake: A Grumpy Man and a Pup

Is it worth your time?

Honestly, if you like old-school, slightly silly comedies where a grumpy guy learns to love a pooch, you’ll have a decent time. If you want something that breaks the mold or avoids every single predictable beat in the book, you are going to be bored out of your mind within ten minutes.

It’s a simple premise. Guy inherits money, guy has to keep a dog, guy acts like a jerk until the dog does something cute. Rinse and repeat.

The Vibes

There is something inherently cozy about these older films. The pacing is a bit weird, sure. Sometimes the scenes just sort of… stop. It’s like the director decided they were done with the conversation and just cut to the next set without worrying about a smooth transition.

I found myself staring at the background furniture more than the plot a few times. The sets feel lived-in, even if the characters act like they are reading their lines from a postcard held just off-camera. It’s charming in a way that feels very dated.

• The dog is, obviously, the best actor on screen.
• The human cast is doing their best, but they are clearly playing second fiddle to a Golden Retriever.
• There is a scene in the park that goes on for way too long. Seriously, we get it, the dog is jumping around.

It reminded me a bit of the lightness you see in Little Miss Marker, where the kid is the main draw and everything else is just background noise. Not a masterpiece, but it doesn't need to be.

Small Details

Did anyone else notice the actor in the background during the dinner scene who clearly forgets his cue? He just stands there looking at the ceiling for like five seconds. It’s hilarious if you actually catch it.

There is also this weird, constant clicking sound in the audio mix whenever the dog barks. Maybe it was just the version I watched, or maybe the microphone was having a breakdown. Who knows. It added a strange, industrial edge to a movie that’s supposed to be fluffy and light.

The movie gets noticeably better once it stops trying to convince you that the man's misery is a deep character study and just lets the dog be a dog.

It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s a movie about a dog. You know exactly what you are getting. If you are in the mood for something that requires zero brain power after a long day, this fits the bill perfectly. 🐶