By Daniel Bradley
Another Focus Features film. Quirky and slow, the dog steals the show.
Mild mannered, soft comedy marking the passing of the protagonists father and his 11th hour homosexuality. If I'm honest, the trailer to this film with give you enough to be carrying on with. If you like it and want more of the same, keep watching. Ewan was marvellous, his relationship with his father and hound is utterly believable, and how he copes with the loss of the former, doubly so.
I wasn't really sure what the message was in this film. Bereavement, homosexuality, age, love, loss, it appeared to come in half way through a story and leave in a similar fashion. A good deal is narrated, in a pleasant and honest way, subtly comical interactions take place throughout and you're left with a wistful feeling of time passing and doors opening and closing in your own life.
Best bits: The dog. The narrating. The flash-story telling. The preaching of tolerance.
Worst bits: Pacing.
For fans of Philadelphia, The kids are alright, The art of getting by, I love you, Philip Morris.
Rating: 6.5/10
