A Dog's Purpose receives damning reviews amidst controversy
'So out of touch the smallest drop of sincerity is mistaken for a barbed rose meant to draw blood'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Dog’s Purpose - Oscar nominee Lasse Hallström’s upcoming film - is currently engulfed in controversy after TMZ released footage seemingly showing a German Shepherd being pushed into and pulled out of a rushing stream of water against its will
Soon after being uploaded, the edited clip was shared across the Internet, leading to Universal canceling the film’s scheduled premiere and press junket. Actor Josh Gad and Hallström both condemned the footage while writer W. Bruce Cameron has defended the film.
With A Dog’s Purpose’s US release incoming, reviews have been published, most of which have been highly negative, most of which agreed the film’s take on the meaning of life was mediocre.
In their F-rated review, IndieWire writes: “What is the meaning of life? Are we here for a reason? Is there a point to any of this? We may never know, but knowing this movie exists may bring some viewers one step closer to giving up on the whole damn thing.”
Referring to killing animals in the film as pushing the red button, LA Weekly says: “Lasse Hallström isn’t notably clumsy, but given a script that called for repeatedly mashing that big, red button, he’s smacked on it like the bongos in a Santana song.”
In their two-star review, We Got This Covered writes: “This is a movie so disjointed and out of touch that even the smallest drop of sincerity is mistaken for a barbed rose meant to draw blood.”
More favourable reviews came from The Hollywood Reporter and Variety who both praised the film’s canine actors steal the show, while the humans are ‘adequate’.
A Dog’s Purpose - based on the book of the same name by Cameron - reaches UK cinemas 21 April.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments