Embarking on a cinematic journey with our four-legged friends often guarantees a flood of emotions, especially for those who have experienced the profound, unconditional love of a dog. A Dog’s Journey, the sequel to the 2017 hit A Dog’s Purpose, delves deep into this connection, exploring themes of family, love, and resilience through the eyes of a reincarnated canine spirit. While the film is undeniably crafted to tug at the heartstrings of dog lovers, it also ventures into unexpectedly dark territory, raising questions about its intended audience.
The narrative continues the unique premise of a dog’s spirit, voiced by Josh Gad, reincarnating across multiple lives. This time, the story picks up with Bailey, a St. Bernard/Australian Shepherd mix, living happily with his original owner Ethan (Dennis Quaid) and his wife Hannah (Marg Helgenberger). They share their Michigan farmhouse with Hannah’s daughter-in-law, Gloria (Betty Gilpin), and her young daughter, Clarity June, affectionately known as C.J. (Emma Volk).
Tragedy strikes when Gloria, struggling with her husband’s death and neglecting her parental duties, falsely accuses Hannah of financial impropriety. She then departs with C.J., leaving Ethan and Hannah devastated. Simultaneously, Bailey is diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer. Ethan, heartbroken, makes the difficult decision to humanely euthanize his beloved companion, but not before pleading with Bailey to use his future lives to protect C.J. instead of returning to the farm.
Fate intervenes as Bailey reincarnates as Molly, a female beagle adopted by an 11-year-old C.J. (Abby Ryder Fortson), much to the dismay of her increasingly alcoholic and neglectful mother. Molly becomes C.J.’s unwavering best friend and protector as she navigates her formative years, supported by her non-canine friend Trent (Ian Chen and later Henry Lau). After Molly’s death, C.J. (Kathryn Prescott) finally breaks free from her mother’s emotional abuse by moving to New York City to pursue a singing career. Once again, Bailey’s spirit, now in the form of a scrappy Yorkshire terrier named Max, guides C.J.
The film unflinchingly tackles a range of difficult themes, including alcoholism, domestic violence, bullying, parental abandonment, and cancer. While these mature subjects are woven into the narrative, they can be jarring in what is ostensibly a family film. Despite these darker elements, A Dog’s Journey remains at its core a celebration of the enduring love and devotion dogs offer their owners. Whether offering protection or simply a silent, comforting presence, dogs are portrayed as steadfast companions helping humans overcome life’s challenges.
The film excels in its portrayal of canine devotion, a quality that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced the bond with a dog. However, the film is not without its flaws. The dialogue can be simplistic, and the narrative occasionally feels disjointed, jumping between plot points without much depth. Supporting characters, particularly Gloria, are underdeveloped, serving primarily as antagonists. The ending leans heavily into sentimentality.
A Dog’s Journey is a potent emotional experience, particularly for dog lovers. It masterfully targets the heart, and audiences prepared for a tear-jerking adventure will find themselves deeply moved. For those who aren’t as keen on canine-centric narratives, or who are sensitive to the darker themes explored, alternative viewing might be advisable.
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Cast: Kathryn Prescott, Abby Ryder Fortson, Emma Volk, Josh Gad, Betty Gilpin, Marg Helgenberger, Henry Lau, Dennis Quaid, Ian Chen, Jake Manley, Daniela Barbosa, Conrad Coates
Director: Gail Mancuso
Producers: Gavin Polone
Screenplay: W. Bruce Cameron, Cathryn Michon, Maya Forbes, Wally Wolodarsky
Cinematography: Rogier Stoffers
Music: Mark Isham
Production Design: Eric Fraser
Editing: Robert Komatsu
Running Time: 108 minutes
Release Date: 15th August 2019 (Australia)
