Film Screening - A Dog's Purpose
In celebration of this year's International Tenants' Day theme, 'People, Pets, Place', we have teamed up with the ANU Film Group to present a screening of the heartwarming new film A Dog's Purpose.
When: Wednesday 4th October, 7:30pm
Where: Coombs Theatre crnr of Fellows and Garran Roads on the ANU campus
A Dog's Purpose
7:30 PM, 4th October, 2016
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Rating: PG
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Length: 100 mins
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Year: 2017
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Director: Lasse Hallström
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Stars: Dennis Quaid, Peggy Lipton, Britt Robertson
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Voice: Josh Gad
If you’re the kind of person who gets easily nostalgic, or who comes from a ‘dog household’, then this is the best film you will see in a long while. If you are new to the pet thing and can’t decide between a cat and a dog, why not watch this to help make your mind up?
A Dog’s Purpose follows a devoted dog who discovers the meaning of its own existence through the lives of the humans it loves, and is loved by in return. He finds himself reincarnated as multiple canines over the course of five decades (with Josh Gad voicing them all): Toby, Bailey, Ellie, Tino and Buddy.
All five lives show that chance is a fine thing: from being part of an unwanted litter, to becoming a working dog, to living life to old age. The incarnations take different forms, switching between gender, and even different breeds, from an athletic Alsatian to a cute corgi.
Dennis Quaid plays the older version of a human, Ethan, who loves and cherishes the dog through his various incarnations. Other humans feature as either kind or neglectful people; but thankfully most are in the former category.
This film might be emotionally manipulative, but it’s a testament to the life-enriching power of dogs as trusting companions. It doesn’t hide the big secret that their lives will inevitably be shorter than ours, but it’s cathartic and will make you feel better for seeing it. Feel free to bring tissues.
Carol Christopher