During the weekend where audiences could take a first look at the newly released film, A Dog’s Purpose, Mica Robinson went to watch and review the film that portrays a unique angle on the purpose of dogs.

Directed by Lasse Hallström, A Dog’s Purpose is a truly heart-warming movie that will reduce any dog lover to tears.

Throughout the film, the audience is told the story of a dog named Bailey (and Ellie, Tino, Waffles, and Buddy, but more on that later), who attempts to figure out the purpose of a dog’s life.

As the trailer shows, when Bailey, the red Retriever is put to sleep after becoming ill, he is reincarnated into other dogs in order to seek the reason of his existence.

It is also apparent from the trailer that Bailey in his final life finds the man who had given him a home all those many years ago, and makes the man, Ethan (played by Dennis Quaid) realise that the new dog in his life is indeed his childhood “boss dog”.

With so much of the base of the story given away in the trailer, it is understandable to think that there cannot be that much else to see however, the different dog lives are shown for just long enough that the audience can gain an emotional bond with the new Bailey, and the new dog owners.

To be honest, in my opinion, the very start of the film appeared rather useless, as Bailey’s very first life is incredibly short, but it does set the idea that this dog gets reincarnated as a different dog after each life.

It is Bailey’s first full life, and the ones that follow that really make the film.

Each life shows just how important dogs are to people, whether as a police dog, a companion, a play-mate, or as a best friend.

All of the dogs were very cleverly cast as well. The variety of different breeds, as well as the differences that each of Bailey’s lives live, really highlights why the movie is enjoyable, and why it does capture the life of a dog ever so perfectly.

The film is very relatable, because not only does it portray a dog’s life so well, it also does a good job in telling the story of how people grow, certainly with the lengthy beginning that shows Ethan growing from a young boy all the way through to college age, before Bailey is put to sleep.

The stories of each dog are shown along with the monologue of Bailey, as to make the audience understand that it is the same dog.

Now, dogs ‘speaking’ on any level in a movie rated a PG may seem somewhat childish, and there will be children in the audience however, I think it was done very well within A Dog’s Purpose.

Bailey never – in any of his lives – speaks to other dogs, nor do they communicate back, other than with the occasional bark of course.

Nor do any of the dogs’ mouths move, such as films that use a special effect to make dogs look like they are speaking through their snouts.

I think because these features were avoided, the film is just as suitable for adults as it is for children – in fact, it would not be surprising if the film is too upsetting for a lot of children.

Personally, there were tears in my eyes at least three or four times, mainly when one of the dogs’ lives came to an end – especially Bailey’s – as well as at the end when Ethan discovers his best childhood friend has found and come back to him.

The timing of the film is perfect, and that must have been hard for the production team to do, with showing so many different tales all in the space of 100 minutes.

Going into watch the film after seeing the trailer, I did not expect this to be the case, and so was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did.

A Dog’s Purpose is definitely a must-see film for all dog people, as they will understand how the beautiful film so accurately shows the bond between dogs and their owners.

A Dog’s Purpose is definitely a must-see film for all dog people, as they will understand how the beautiful film so accurately shows the bond between dogs and their owners.

I must advise that tissues are taken into the cinema, and tell any future audiences that they really will learn the purpose of having a dog, if they do not already know.

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