A Dog Year (2009)

A guy suffering from a midlife crisis takes in a dog that's crazier than he is.

Director:

George LaVoo

Writers:

George LaVoo, Jon Katz (book)

Stars:

Jeff Bridges, Lauren Ambrose, Lois Smith

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeff Bridges	...	Jon Katz
Lauren Ambrose	...	Emma
Lois Smith	...	Lois Blair
Domhnall Gleeson	...	Anthony Armstrong
Welker White	...	Brenda King
Elizabeth Marvel	...	Margo
Pamela Stewart	...	Patti (as Pamela Holden Stewart)
Deirdre O'Connell	...	Donna Brady
Karen Allen	...	Paula (voice)
Leo Trombetta	...	Richard (voice)
Patricia Lentz	...	Holly (voice) (as Pat Lentz)
Jan Leslie Harding	...	Nancy Longhetti
Teresa Yenque	...	Airport Bystander
Glenn Kessler	...	Airport Police
Joe Wachowski	...	Airport Police

Storyline

Jon Katz is close to burnout. He's a writer with writer's block; his wife has left for her sister's because he's emotionally distant; he rarely answers his phone. A kennel sends him a border collie that's undisciplined because of abuse. Despite a series of mishaps, Jon decides to keep trying with the dog, and he rents a dilapidated farm house to give the dog room to run. A local handyman refers Jon to a woman who might be able to help him train the dog. Reluctantly, Jon gives her a try. Is the dog the problem, or the owner?

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Plot Keywords:

pet owner relationship | midlife crisis | writers block | border collie | marital problem | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The veterinary hospital scenes in the film were shot at the Animal Hospital of White Plains. The hospital is co-owned by Dr. Maria Lagana, who also served as Vet consultant on the picture.

User Reviews

needs more story

Jon Katz (Jeff Bridges) is under pressured to write his next book. He's alone with two dogs. His wife has left him and his daughter Emma (Lauren Ambrose) is away at college. A fan sends him a rescue Border Collie named Devon for him to help. Devon has been abused and is unmanageable. Emma returns to find a mess. Devon continues to chase school buses. Jon rents a farmhouse to write in isolation. Local handyman Anthony Armstrong (Domhnall Gleeson) sends him to dog trainer Lois Blair (Lois Smith).

This is based on Jon Katz's book about his real life with his rescued border collie. This is a little too bare bones. There isn't any drama. There isn't much story. There is a bit of character but it would be better to fill it out more. This could have given him a scene with his wife at the beginning. This could have given a sense of what he writes about. His scenes with his daughter are great but this needs more.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 September 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Dog Year

Filming Locations:

Greenwich, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Duopoly, Devon's Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1