A Dog Year, written and directed by George LaVoo, based on the book by Jon Katz - Eight out of 10

A Dog Year, written and directed by George LaVoo, based on the book by Jon Katz

Eight out of 10

Surprisingly for a film with Jeff Bridges, A Dog Year has attracted very little attention, as is obvious if you look it up on IMDB, where only four critics have bothered to note on it so far.

Granted, this is not The Big Lebowski, Crazy Heart, True Grit, The Muse, The Fisher King, The Last Picture Show or any other of the landmarks in which Jeff Bridges has given memorable performances.

A Dog Year is a more modest work, but entertaining nevertheless.

Jeff Bridges has the role title role of John Katz a writer who struggles with issues including some marital problems, a writer’s block, a tendency to be socially awkward and some other problems that he is unaware of.

The hero has a companion that is present in the title of the motion picture, a border collie named Devon.

To begin with, the man’s best friend acts more like the worst imaginable pest, for he wrecks the food in the refrigerator, even worse, proves to be a menace for other dogs and people, barking and acting aggressively and reckless.

John Katz is brought to the point where he decides to send him back to the kennel, even phoning them and arranging for the trip back from his house to a distant destination.

When Devon is missing, he understands as he walks the streets aghast, terrified, that he loves the animal and would not give it away, in spite of the troubles that seem to have no end…

When he walks back from the department store, a woman takes her small dog - was it a Shih Tzu? – down from the car to urinate, but when the writer does the same, his pet is trying hard to get off the leach and presumably eat the other dog…perhaps understandable given the rather unpleasant appearance of the odd creature

The under signed has owned many Borzois, like thirty if we include the descendants that went to other homes, the majestic characters favored by the Russian czars and nobility, and these hounds seem to be a different species when placed against Pekingese, Shih Tzu or the like.

At another time, Devon escapes and starts chasing after the school bus and it looks like he is going to be run over, given his tendency to come to close to the wheels and try to shepherd the bizarre creature.

Jon Katz has two other dogs, the much more amenable, calm, restrained, prudent, self-regulated Stanley and Julius.

When they walk on the beach, the Border collie jumps and plays into the water, albeit it looks like not the best idea, considering the apparently low temperature of the water, while the couple of Retrievers look on without any intention to join.

The owner of the troubled dog is suggested to speak with Lois Blair, an elderly woman who can train dogs and would presumably be able to cope with and tame the wild Border collie.

When they meet, she says that it would cost two hundred dollars and that Devon would be given a test, which takes place on the hill, where sheep are kept in an enclosure and released.

Another collie, the well-trained, obedient, intelligent, assured, calm and observant animal is given the task to bring back the sheep to their enclosure, which he does with the magical skill that Australian border collies have.

Alas, when told to do the same, Devon is showing his anxiety, inability to show some temperance when chasing after the sheep, in total contrast with the balanced, equanimous other dog.

Lois Blair states that the animal has failed the test and specifies that it is the owner who is responsible; the man has issues and prevents the troubled dog from finding equilibrium and the golden mean…

Infuriated, Jon Katz leaves in anger, but he would return, perhaps benefiting from the free advice given by this wise, older woman, who has worked magic on both the dog and more importantly the master.

A condition Sine Qua Non…

As aforementioned, this film is not in the same league with the major productions in which Jeff Bridges has been essential.

However, it is an interesting, watchable film.