By: Ferica Ting
Directed by Charles Martin Smith, the movie “A Dog’s Way Home” showcases a heartwarming, sentimental story that begins in the suburbs of Denver. The movie is filmed from Bella’s (the dog) point of view, who is narrated by Bryce Dallas Howard. Bella takes the audience on a two year journey of finding her way back home.
Starting off as a stray dog who was raised by a cat, referred to as Mother Cat, Bella soon meets Lucas, and they instantly formed a close owner-pet relationship. Due to city regulations regarding the ownership of pitbull dogs, Bella is sent away to a temporary home in New Mexico, meaning she would be away from Lucas. Homesick, Bella escapes and takes on the challenge of returning back to Denver, where Lucas and her home are located.
The movie is family-friendly and mainly appeals to a younger demographic, since the narration leans towards using a childish voice. The narration for Bella can be seen as cringy or even annoying, but after all, the movie is being filmed from a dog’s perspective. Regardless, the film is still well-suited for anyone that wants to indulge in a wholesome, rewarding adventure. “A Dog’s Way Home” does a good job at appealing to these groups through the simplicity of the plot, making it easy for the audience to follow along.
Although the plot is simple, the movie is still interesting, as Bella’s journey of returning home consists of several unexpected events. On her journey home, she goes through obstacles and also forms a lot of friendships with other beings. The audience is able to witness lessons and friendships that the dog acquires in order to survive.
The message the writers of the flim want to present to the audience is neat and simple: never give up and follow your heart. Bella’s journey home seemed impossible, but determination paid off in the end.
The camerawork is nicely done, considering there is a lot of movement and action going on. Furthermore, the main actor is a dog, and getting a dog to cooperate with the camera is surely not the easiest thing to do. It is amazing how the camera operators were able to capture every scene perfectly.
Not only is the camerawork good, but the movie is also aesthetically pleasing. The natural scenes give off a calming vibe to the audience.
