As a part of the film committee for Spur’s Palace Theater, we try to watch every movie recommended for the local picture show before it plays in our hometown. Recommended for the week of the Big Dog Barbecue Cook-off (June 24–25) was the movie “Dog,” which at first glance from the promos seemed like a funny, man/dog buddy flick.
When screening the movie, however, we realized that it was a much deeper film than the trailers let on. The story features Channing Tatum as ex-Army Ranger Jackson Briggs, and his charge, a Belgian Malinois dog called Lulu.
Lulu, a beautiful dog who also served with the Army Rangers, is severely traumatized by her handler’s death. The loss has made her so aggressive that she has to be heavily muzzled, kept on sedatives, and is due to be put down after the funeral of her late handler.
Ex-soldier Briggs is desperate to get back into service after suffering a brain injury, trauma and PTSD. Briggs’ constant attempts and pleas to be reinstated keep getting knocked back, adding to his depression and sense of purposelessness. He is given one chance to get back into active duty—which is to drive Lulu across the country to her handler’s funeral in Arizona.
How many of us have known someone who has served in the military and has struggled with loud noises like fireworks, which recreate combat trauma? For humans, at least we can put it into words. For a dog who has served in the military, thunderstorms can be terrifying.
So the story is set with two wounded warriors, one human, one canine—neither coping well with the changes that life has thrown at them. Spoiler alert: eventually, both find redemption.
The movie is a tribute to everyone who serves, human or canine, and that something good can come out of trauma and healing can happen in many unexpected ways.
We hope to see you there to enjoy it at The Palace on Friday, June 24.
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