Life Is a Dog: A frantic, old-school mess of a comedy

Is it worth the watch?

If you have a soft spot for 1930s screwball comedies that move at the speed of light, you'll probably get a kick out of Life Is a Dog. It’s basically a non-stop workout of people running through doors just as someone else walks out.

If you prefer your movies to have a shred of realism or a plot that doesn't rely on the 'glasses make you a different person' trope, you will likely be pulling your hair out. It’s silly. It’s loud. It’s definitely a product of its time.

The whole premise is absurd. Viktor is so broke he’s turning on the gas to end it, but the gas company guy shows up to shut the supply off. That’s the meet-cute! It’s dark, but the movie immediately pivots into this manic, high-energy farce.

Hugo Haas is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. Watching him switch between the young, hopeless Viktor and this stuffy, bearded scholar uncle is exhausting just to look at. The costume changes happen so fast you’ll wonder if the crew was just throwing hats at him off-screen.

Odd moments that stuck

• There’s a scene in the office that goes on for a solid three minutes of just pure, frantic pacing. It feels like the actors are trying to break a cardio record.
• The way they frame the 'uncle' character is hilarious. He’s supposed to be this intellectual giant, but he just looks like a guy who forgot how to use a chair.
• I couldn't stop looking at the background extras. Some of them are just standing there, looking like they have absolutely no idea what the movie is about.

It reminds me a bit of the frantic energy in The March Hare, though with way more mustache-twirling. It lacks the sharp timing of later comedies, but it has this raw, weird charm.

Honestly, the plot makes almost zero sense if you think about it for more than five seconds. Why doesn't anyone notice the voices? Why is the daughter so oblivious? But if you stop trying to solve the logic puzzles, it’s just fun.

It’s not a masterpiece. It’s just a chaotic, messy ride through a version of the world where you can hold two jobs and a full-time romance just by changing your coat. Sometimes, that’s enough. 🐕