Shadows on the Wall | Puppy Love

Puppy Love

dir Richard Alan Reid, Nick Fabiano
scr Greg Glienna, Peter Stass, Kirsten Guenther, Dan Scheinkman, Richard Alan Reid
prd Jason Moring, Michael Philip
with Lucy Hale, Grant Gustin, Nore Davis, Christine Lee, Al Miro, Jane Seymour, Michael Hitchcock, Sarah Peguero, Corey Woods, Nimet Kanji, DJ Mausner, Kendra Hesketh
release US/UK 18.Aug.23
23/Canada Amazon 1h46

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Loose and silly, this warm romantic comedy uses dogs as its central gimmick, which adds engaging cuteness. There isn't anything original or surprising going on here, including multiple Lady and the Tramp gags, but the film has a nicely entertaining vibe that makes it enjoyable. So even if much of the humour feels rather goofy, and the path to love is very predicta

ble, there's plenty here to enjoy. In Seattle, IT worker Max (Gustin) is crippled by anxiety, so his therapist (Kanji) suggests that he tries connecting with a dog. And he rescues an adorable spaniel he names Chloe. Then he matches on a dating app with recently single designer Nicole (Hale), who has just brought friendly stray terrier Channing into her chaotic life. Their first date is a disaster, but Chloe is now expecting puppies. So Max convinces Nicole to visit his over-talking vet (Hitchcock), and they decide to coparent Chloe's litter. They also, eventually, begin to enjoy hanging out together.

Everything about this film feels fairly standard, such as how both Max and Nicole get advice from their colourful best friends (Davis and Lee, respectively). And the filmmakers seem happy to indulge in the corniest low-brow jokes they could think of. In addition to some choppy camerawork and editing, several vaguely unfinished subplots offer briefly glimpses of family members and wacky messiness between Nicole and a hunky-wealthy client (Miro). And of course various things heat up as Chloe's due date approaches.

Characters are heightened for comedic effect, including a number of lively supporting roles and scene-stealing cameos. At the centre, Gustin and Hale somehow manage to stay nicely grounded, even with Max's compulsive nuttiness and Nicole's free-spirited mayhem. Both Max and Nicole have been burned before, so opening up is tricky for them, but they encourage each other to pursue their true goals. None of the other people develop into real characters, but they definitely add colour.

Along the way, the film offers an eye-opening look at the more ridiculous end of pet ownership, from insane veterinarian bills to doggie lamaze class. But the gentle message is about the healing effect of a pet dog, offering a nice depiction of the complex power of dropping your guard. Without getting too serious about it, the script notes that risk is necessary if you actually want to live a full life. Not that the filmmakers risk much with this easy, likeable bit of fluff.

themes, language, violence 8.Aug.23

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