Briggs, Riley, and Lulu, were all Army Rangers in Afghanistan, and suffered a variety of physical and, especially mental, traumas. Briggs' PTSD saw him invalided out, while Riley drove into a tree ar 120mph. This left Lulu, Riley's highly trained Ranger dog, suffering both PTSD and bereavement. Briggs, wanting official endorsement for future employment despite his handicap, is tasked with transporting Lulu (or Dog, as he calls her) down the Pacific coast to Riley's funeral. All does not go smoothly.
This film, which features, essentially, Channing Tatum and a dog, follows assorted other movies about military and similar dogs trying to find their way post-services. Despite the drama which drives them, these have tended to be genial affairs, with heartwarming, tearjerking endings.
This is not the case here. Both Briggs and Lulu are clearly quite badly damaged,mand that damage means that neither of them is ver likeable. Yes, of course, they catalyse a process of healing in each other, and some of the rough edges are worn off as the film goes along, but the ending is merely hopeful rather than throat-chokingly emotional. It was altogether darker, lower key, and not obviously going for emotional manipulation, and I liked it all the more for that. This is not going to have the Marley And Me audience leaving the cinema with mascara streaks down their cheeks.
This film, which features, essentially, Channing Tatum and a dog, follows assorted other movies about military and similar dogs trying to find their way post-services. Despite the drama which drives them, these have tended to be genial affairs, with heartwarming, tearjerking endings.
This is not the case here. Both Briggs and Lulu are clearly quite badly damaged,mand that damage means that neither of them is ver likeable. Yes, of course, they catalyse a process of healing in each other, and some of the rough edges are worn off as the film goes along, but the ending is merely hopeful rather than throat-chokingly emotional. It was altogether darker, lower key, and not obviously going for emotional manipulation, and I liked it all the more for that. This is not going to have the Marley And Me audience leaving the cinema with mascara streaks down their cheeks.