Dog, a 2022 film starring and directed by Channing Tatum, transcends its initial billing as a simple road comedy. Developed with personal insights from Tatum’s own experiences, the movie delves into a surprisingly affecting and emotional narrative, exploring the profound bond between a soldier battling PTSD and a military dog. Channing Tatum’s diverse career has seen him transition from romantic lead to comedy star and dramatic actor, showcasing his versatility. After a less prolific period between 2018 and 2021, Tatum made a significant return in 2022, not only as an actor but also as a director, with Dog marking his directorial debut.
While marketed as a road comedy, the film is, at its core, a much more dramatic and tear-jerking exploration of PTSD and the deep connection that can form between an animal and its owner. The film stars Channing Tatum as Jackson Briggs, a former U.S. Army Ranger grappling with PTSD. He is assigned the challenging task of escorting his deceased friend’s military dog, Lulu, from Washington to Arizona for her funeral. Initially frustrated by the poorly trained and aggressive dog, Jackson gradually finds a true friendship with Lulu, which ultimately helps him confront and come to terms with his own difficult past.
The Unexpected Journey of Jackson and Lulu
The narrative of Dog centers on the arduous journey undertaken by Jackson and Lulu. Their cross-country trip is fraught with challenges, stemming largely from Lulu’s behavioral issues and Jackson’s own internal struggles. At the end of Dog, after weeks on the road, a fragile truce has formed between them. They may not be best friends, but a mutual reliance has developed. During the funeral, Jackson stays close to Lulu, offering comfort and ensuring she isn’t overwhelmed by the solemn occasion. In a pivotal moment, Jackson contemplates helping Lulu escape her fate of euthanasia, but she demonstrates her loyalty by refusing to leave his side.
Their final night together is spent in a motel, where Jackson experiences a PTSD-induced panic attack. Lulu’s comforting presence by his side helps him to calm down. The following morning, Jackson drives Lulu to the facility for euthanasia, but he cannot go through with it. Seeing her distress, he turns back and brings her home. Months later, Jackson pens a heartfelt letter to Lulu, revealing that he has adopted her and thanking her for saving his life. Throughout their shared ordeal, they discover a profound similarity in their experiences. Jackson, like Lulu, has endured trauma as a soldier and suffered the loss of someone close. This shared vulnerability, initially resisted by both, becomes the foundation for their healing. Jackson’s decision to return for Lulu symbolizes his acceptance of the need for companionship and support.
Tatum’s Personal Connection to the Story
The inspiration behind Dog stems from a deeply personal experience for Channing Tatum. In 2018, following his own dog Lulu’s cancer diagnosis, Tatum embarked on a road trip with her. This journey, intended as a final opportunity to spend quality time with his beloved companion, led him to a poignant realization: he could no longer forestall the inevitable. Tatum came to the sad conclusion that there was nothing that he could do for Lulu, and he would just have to accept that her passing was inevitable. He reflected, “You just have to accept it and be thankful for the time that you did get and know that they’re not supposed to be here forever. I’m supposed to go on and she has to go someplace else.”
This personal journey profoundly influenced the creation of Dog, serving as a therapeutic outlet for Tatum to process his grief. Crucially, Tatum never intended for Lulu’s character in the film to die. He aimed to move beyond the common trope of sad dog movies with devastating endings. Instead, his focus was on portraying the development of a human-animal bond. As Tatum explained, “It was the end of a relationship that inspired us, but we wanted to make sure that we told a story about the beginning of a relationship and the parts of our friendships with our dogs that really left these lasting impressions of fun and adventure in our lives.” The film is therefore not a dissection of pet loss, but rather an examination of the unique and unlikely connections that form between humans and their animal companions.
The real Lulu passed away in late 2018, and Tatum shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, accompanied by a photo of his dog, stating, “I’ll see you again baby girl. But you’ll always be with me. Always.” His ex-wife, Jenna Dewan, also shared her grief and gratitude on Instagram, writing, “To our sweet and fierce Lulu…thank you for being the best dog in the entire world and for fighting cancer for as long as you did. Thank you for your tireless love, protection and humor. Thank you for the adventures.” Dog is dedicated to Lulu, and since her passing, Tatum has welcomed two more Dutch Shepherds, Rooklin and Cutie, into his life, breeds similar to the Belgian Malinois portrayed by Lulu in the film.
Directing with Canine Co-Stars
Filming Dog provided Channing Tatum with a firsthand understanding of the complexities involved in working with live animals. Directing the three dogs who portrayed Lulu presented unique challenges. Tatum noted the difficulty in issuing multiple commands, stating, “Anytime we wanted her to pick something up and then walk to her mark, well that’s an additional step — that’s two things we’re asking her to do now. If you wanted her to pick things up, walk to her mark, and then walk out, you’re now in no man’s land like you’re just praying that she does it — and does it in the take where your own acting is half decent so you could use it.” The impressive on-screen performance is a testament to Tatum’s and his co-director Reid Carolin’s ability to elicit desired behaviors from the animal actors.
Reid Carolin echoed Tatum’s sentiments, expressing deep respect for anyone who makes a dog movie due to the inherent challenges. He cited films like Turner & Hooch and White God as examples of successful canine direction. Carolin also observed that each dog actor possessed distinct personalities, with one sometimes acting as a “prima donna” on set, requiring constant attention. Despite these challenges, both directors acknowledged that any directorial missteps were likely their own, rather than the dogs’. Tatum emphasized that dogs on set are simply being dogs, and the human element is responsible for crafting the scene around their natural behavior.
With a commendable 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it is evident that any directorial hurdles and the complexities of working with dogs did not detract from the film’s compelling narrative. Audiences responded positively to Dog, appreciating its emotional depth and heartfelt story.
Audience Reception and Emotional Resonance
A film centered on the profound bond between a dog and its owner was destined to resonate deeply with viewers, and many took to online platforms like Reddit to express their appreciation. One user, u/awaywethrowLA, shared their emotional experience: “Yep, bawled so hard I didn’t think I was going to be able to finish the movie. Will absolutely watch again once I’ve had some distance from it. My boy was gone by the time it came out but your description of yours trying to fix it reminds me of the times my boy did the same for me. So glad you have each other.” Another viewer, u/Successful_Set4709, commented on the film’s ending: “‘Thank you for saving my life’ the ending made me cry so hard.”
These reactions align with Tatum’s own experience, as he found the project to be “cathartic.” Speaking to Forbes, he stated, “It gave me a lot of perspective on what she meant to me, what her purpose was in this life that we had together.” Dog may have been a quieter release, but its powerful exploration of healing, companionship, and the enduring love between humans and animals makes it a film worth revisiting. Be warned, however, that it might just inspire you to open your heart and home to a canine companion.
Dog (2022)
Rating: 3.5/5
Synopsis: A former Army Ranger suffering from PTSD is tasked with escorting a military dog to her owner’s funeral, leading to an unexpected bond and a journey of healing for both.
Release Date: February 17, 2022
Runtime: 101 minutes
Director: Channing Tatum, Reid Carolin
Writers: Reid Carolin
Producers: Gregory Jacobs, Peter Kiernan, Brett Rodriguez, Channing Tatum
Main Cast:
- Channing Tatum as Jackson Briggs
- Various dog actors as Lulu
References:
- Screen Rant – Dog Movie: https://screenrant.com/db/movie/dog/
- Screen Rant – Channing Tatum’s Career: https://screenrant.com/channing-taum-movies-ranked/
- Screen Rant – Dog Movie Cast: https://screenrant.com/dog-movie-cast-guide-characters-actors/
- Screen Rant – Dog Ending Explained: https://screenrant.com/dog-ending-explained-real-meaning/
- Screen Rant – Netflix’s Popular War Movie Follow-Up: https://screenrant.com/dog-2022-movie-watch-after-megan-leavey/
- Yahoo Entertainment – Channing Tatum on Dog: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/channing-tatum-lulu-rook-cutie-dog-160022181.html
- Screen Rant – Saddest Dog Movies: https://screenrant.com/saddest-dog-movies-all-time/
- People – Channing Tatum’s Dog Lulu Dies: https://people.com/pets/channing-tatum-jenna-dewan-dog-lulu-dies-emotional-tributes/
- Instagram – Jenna Dewan’s Tribute: https://www.instagram.com/p/Brj1fX7AcNd/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=fad3d633-f03c-4232-a8a2-7ac180f687ae
- Sharp Magazine – Channing Tatum Interview: https://sharpmagazine.com/2022/02/16/channing-tatum-interview/
- EW – Channing Tatum on Dog Movie: https://ew.com/movies/channing-tatum-dog-movie-interview/
- Rotten Tomatoes – Dog (2022): https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dog_2022
- Reddit – Dog (2022) Movie Discussion: https://www.reddit.com/r/germanshepherds/comments/17sr2ci/dog_2022_movie/
- Forbes – Dog Producers Interview: https://www.forbes.com/sites/adawson/2022/02/15/war-dogs-producing-partners-channing-tatum-and-reid-carolin-unleash-heartwarming-buddy-comedy/
