RED DOG: WOOF WOOF

At the conclusion of this movie, I finally decide to relinquish my attatchment to the opinions of Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton.
On reading a review,it was noted that both critics agreed for once and gave this Australian feature 4 1/2 stars a piece.
Incredible I thought.
Off I raced to see this supposed wonderful true story of a dog who saved a town called Dampier in WA back in the seventies.
After 92 minutes of complete crap I was deflated and confused.
The only conclusion I could reach was that it was a political move by the ABC presenters to put their full backing behind ANY Australian feature that comes out.
Which in my recall,they generally do.
COP OUT FOLKS!
I'd like to ask Kriv Stenders ( the director) are you trying to be the next Baz Lurhman or what?
This film,like a lot of Australian films translates like a celluloid musical. Remember
"Muriel's Wedding", "Strictly Ballroom" "Priscila Queen of the desert" and more recently the Aboriginal comedy "Bran nue dae" to name a few.
Their forced air of patriotism and overacting makes me CRINGE!
I personally do not respond to films of this nature (except perhaps for Terence Stamp's performance in Priscilla)
In my mind, a musical is much more powerful in a theatrical medium. The message simply does not translate when its placed in a movie format.
Christ, remember "Les Miserables"(the movie)!!!!??
In saying that,"Red Dog" did have one redeeming feature; its great soundtrack. (available now at all good music stores)
The story it seems is based on a red kelpie/cattle dog who became well known to the locals that encountered him throughout the Western Australia/Pilbara area.
In truth,Red Dog travelled alone a lot but still assumed two owners during his life time. Writers Louis de Bernières and Daniel Taplitz decided to focus on the second owner John Stazzonelli, played by American Josh Lucas ("A beautiful mind", "Hulk")
John in real life was very different than the depiction by Josh Lucas. He was actually a New Zealand native with three children who was extremely abusive to his wife.
In direct contrast,the movie portrays a love story between Johns character and his wife played by Rachel Taylor. (Yes she just keeps popping up)Getting better Rach,just want a little bit more earnesty in those beautiful eyes please.
This movie has no soul. These fabricated stories that Red Dog saved lives and searched for his missing master until his own death did not speak to me. There was always too much of a comical edge aligned for it to hold any dramatic value.

In fact, when Red Dog was about to die from strychnine poisoning, the whole cast broke into a corny version of "living and a workin on the land" ????!!!!
I also detested the CGI fight scenes between the cat and Red Dog. They were absolutely ludicrous!
Confirming for me that "Red Dog" was a big fat turkey!
Dont bother!
If you want to see a couple of moving Australian flicks with animals try "Storm Boy" or "Pharlap"

Until then

JAX