A 12-year-old tech prodigy’s science experiment goes awry and he forges a telepathic connection with his best friend, his dog. The duo join forces and use their unique perspectives on life to comically overcome complications of family and school.
Who doesn’t like dog movies? You don’t have to be a “dog person” to like this movie but it goes right alongside all the feel-good dog movies out there. So go ahead add this one to your list! From the beginning, a small-statured boy, “Ollie” (Gabriel Bateman) in his early teens, opens the scene up with his best friend relationship with, Henry, his dog that his mom, Ellen (Megan Fox), a nail technician picked for him. His dad, Lucas (Josh Duhamel), is dealing with deep-seated emotion and is battling his wants and needs. He just can’t seem to resist a slice of pizza yet routinely drinks his “green drinks” the dog makes fun of. This family seems happy but there’s drama brewing that’s not discussed as his parents are in a perpetual slump.
It’s beautiful how the writer works through the dog to convey communication that otherwise people would be stranded in their own self-spiraling out of control thoughts that leads to chaos. Quite simply, to think like a dog means taking out all the fluff of things and focusing on the heart of the matter. The psychology in that is very beneficial and we could all learn from training ourselves to weed out thoughts and narrow down on what’s really happening. Henry, the dog, wants to help Ollie and his family and encourages everyone to consider a different, yet lighter sharper way of thinking.
Ollie is a smart kid who entertains himself as an only child with his thoughts and inventions. He even invents something for his dog that needs some work but oh so clever. His dog listens and thinks out loud and of course, talks, he just wants people to think like dogs and our lives would be easier, happier, and simpler. This knowledge comes out after the depth of the movie showcases the mom and dad of Ollie about to separate and considering a move, job change, and divorce. With the dog and Ollie’s insight and love for his family, feelings shift when Ollie learns by omission of what he has to mentally feel when he hears the news, setting the stage for his lofty ideas to transition into bold advantage not just for himself but his parent’s and those around him.
Insecurity is something he has to overcome at school although peers notice how incredibly genius he is. He has eyes for a particular girl, Sophie (Madison Horcher), whom he adores and learns to take courage and let go of fear to say what he feels. At school, he thrives on tuning others into his projects but kids are kids and someone messes with his outcome on purpose and later makes amends. Ollie’s teacher sees something in a student who speaks up for Ollie’s involvement too and then later causes mischief and a kidnapping right before a special moment, the dance at the school.
Overall, this movie kept my interest the whole time and is suited for pre-teens, adults, and families. This was one of those feel-good movies with just enough action to keep you watching. As predictable as it was, I know I awed. If we could only just think like dogs, we might all could rationalize on a deeper yet simple level of thinking and live with less complication and a happier healthier attitude.
Dogs love you no matter what. They want to kiss and lick you especially when you don’t feel well. They follow you around because they want to be near you. All they want is a little love back, like a nice rub of the belly or dog hug. They watch everything going on and who knows what they’re really thinking or what they’d say if they could but I imagine they’re perceptive. So the next time you’re in a mode you need to take something in, just wet your nose and pay close attention. It’s worth a shot. This dog movie was intrinsically spot on.
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