Sr. Pig (2016) User Reviews

Howard the pig steals the show!

[chrichtonsworld · 5/10 · 26 February 2017]

Mr. Pig is a road movie about an old man called Ambrose (played by Danny Glover) and his friend Howard the pig. Ambrose is not well. In fact he is dying. Last thing on his agenda seems to be the task to deliver Howard to someone he trusts who will take good care of him.

This premise appealed to me quite a bit. A tale about a dying man spending his last hours with a good friend has feelgood written all over it. And I can't resist feelgood films. However Diego Luna (who you might know from Star Wars: Rogue where he plays as Cassian Andor) doesn't deliver on this. Or at least not the extent I had hoped. Biggest problem is that while most of the acting is done competently it is far from memorable or impressive. Not enough is happening on a dramatic level to make me feel or care for the characters. I did care about the pig though. He easily tops every human character in the film acting wise. He is the only one to be expressing real emotions at some pivotal moments, Maya Rudolph barely has any chemistry with Danny Glover and for the most part she is rather annoying than compelling. If she would have not been in this film it would not have mattered a single thing. To me this is quite astonishing since you would think much more would be happening between a father and daughter in the father's last moments. Especially since it is made clear that he wasn't a particularly good father and never around when he needed her. I had expected some fireworks or at least some interesting dynamics. None of that. I guess there was something of a reveal that perhaps could explain Ambrose being so very passive. Although I think Luna should us have given us more on Ambrose and how he was before we get to meet him. Maybe then I would have been more invested. But like I said I only cared about Howard and what would happen to him.

I think Diego Luna has duped Howard into thinking he was going to be a part of something special instead of this generic film. Not bad but not good by any means. I hope this film will give Howard the exposure he needs to be noticed for better productions. He truly deserves it.

If you liked this review then please check out my website (chrichtonsworld) for more.

Good "road film" with a Father & Daughter

[diannans · 7/10 · 8 January 2017]

Danny Glover turns in a heartfelt performance in Mr Pig. I enjoyed the film a great deal. Maya Rudolph is also very good as his somewhat estranged and worried daughter; although we don't see her until the film is about 2/3's over. Prior to that the audience only hears muffled snatches of their phone conversations. I feel the director should have cut to her at least once earlier in the film.

Some things don't make sense (i.e. - How does one get across the American/Mexican border without anyone inquiring as to the gigantic hog in the back of the station wagon?) The father and daughter have numerous issues to resolve and none of these come easy as Ambrose (Mr Glover) very much marches to his own drummer. The Mexican scenery is lovely and the supporting characters all fit in perfectly.

Hog roadtrip...

[paul_haakonsen · 5/10 · 16 May 2017]

When I found "Mr. Pig" I can't say that it was a movie that I knew anything about. I picked it up solely because I saw Danny Glover on the cover, then I read the synopsis and thought that it did have the potential to be an interesting movie.

Now, I will say that while the movie is entertaining, it was a bit too mundane and generic for my liking. Sure, I was entertained well enough by what the movie turned out to be, however I had just expected somewhat more from it at the hands of director Diego Luna.

The story, briefly summarized, is about an aging man named Howard, whose Health is declining, who takes to the road for Mexico with his beloved pig Howard.

Of course there is more to the story that just that, because it also deals with family connections and bonds, and the attachment that stands between man and animal.

"Mr. Pig" did have some good acting performances, and Danny Glover was quite enjoyable in the role of Ambrose. It was also good to see Maya Rudolph in a role that stepped out of the usual comedy characters that she portrays.

The characters in the movie were quite well-defined and well-rounded, with lots of depth and characteristics to them. And that was a good Foundation for the movie, especially when much of the movie was based on a select few characters.

However, "Mr. Pig" turned out to be a mediocre movie for me. It had some entertaining enough moments, but the overall picture was just one of mediocrity. "Mr. Pig" is not the type of movie that seems to sustain multiple viewings, because it just didn't have that particular quality to it. "Mr. Pig" is entertaining enough in its own rights and for what it turned out to be, just don't set your expectations too high though.

About dying

[fmwongmd · 6/10 · 28 February 2019]

Well acted,well written story about end of life told in an affectionate way. Good portrayals by Maya Rudolph and Danny Glover.

Mr. Bojangles

[nogodnomasters · 4/10 · 2 September 2017]

This is not my most memorable Danny Glover film. Mr. Eubanks (Glover) is a disorganized farmer who likes his drink. He is getting ready to lose his farm and opts to sell his prized pig to a relative...in Mexico. Unfortunately he has named his prized pig and doesn't approve of "Howie's" living conditions. His daughter (Maya Rudolph) catches up with him in Mexico and bonds with her father through finding "Howie" a suitable home....you know like on a tropical island somewhere.

The acting was good, I just thought the story kinda stunk...watching an old dying man driving a pig around Mexico while drinking. Oh yea, he does bond with his daughter.

Guide: No swearing, sex, or nudity

Boring

[keikoyoshikawa · 4/10 · 10 March 2020]

Excellent actors but unfortunately they could not save a boring script and lackluster directing. Could the story have been told better? Yes, I think so. For me, it just seemed like the writers and the director didn't really try. It just felt like everyone was simply going through the motions in a film that needed passion and talent to make it exceptional.

Ho Hum Not Impressed

[mcjensen-05924 · 4/10 · 26 October 2020]

Danny Gloves doesn't usually sign onto movies with so little to offer in the way of action/intrigue, so it was rather sad to see him floundering around trying to salvage something from this script. The relationship with his daughter doesn't ring true at all, and while we are supposed to feel sympathy toward his character there's an unshakeable fact that he's just not likeable. Everybody relates to one another in simple formulatic and cliche manners. Very dull. It takes a rare movie to take tremendous talent like this and come up with a dud.

Never thought I would care so much for a man and his pig

[paulijcalderon · 8/10 · 14 January 2017]

A pretty tragic story actually. This is the first Diego Luna directed film I've seen and I think he has some interesting things to say. Especially about the subject on how animals are treated and cared for.

I've always liked Danny Glover as an actor and he was really good in this one. The care he has for his best friend, the pig Howard, was very nice and heartfelt. That is what really made the movie. The fact that he wants Howard to have a nice home was a sweet gesture and I really cared for the bond they had.

The locations are good and the plot is simple and straightforward. It's a road movie too and I really like that genre. There's something very genuine and relate-able about them. The movie surprised me and I never thought I would care so much for a man and his pig on a road trip. I didn't want anything bad to happen to them.

Whisky Tango Foxtrot!!

[wyowil · 1/10 · 16 August 2018]

May be the worst friggin flick EVER made... keeping with the Mexican tradition of quality on a shoestring budget.

road trip caper in Mexico

[ksf-2 · 9/10 · 3 January 2017]

Mr. Pig is a road trip film, where we follow "Ambrose" (Danny Glover) as he drives down into Mexico with his hog, to be sold south of the border. The IMDb page for this film is pretty sparse, so not a lot of info. When he sees how the son of his old friend is keeping the hogs, Ambrose goes nuts, and changes his mind. He takes the pig back, and heads back home. Of course, his daughter Eunice (Maya Rudolph) catches up with him, and confronts him. Crazy adventures as Ambrose, Eunice, and Howard the pig run around Mexico in a caper. Ambrose has health issues, Howard has health issues, and Ambrose is determined to get a fair price for him. Some funny scenes, where father and daughter check into a motel, but the bed is round like a honeymoon suite. The editing and the script are both really great. It almost plays like a documentary, but the music helps set the scene. Beautiful outdoor scenes of Mexico. It really has a sense of adventure... the whole time, we're not sure what's going to happen next. As it should be. Screenplay and direction by Diego Luna. Luna has done a wide variety of projects, as writer, director, actor. Great stuff. Highly recommend it. Playing on netflix.

Sweet and loving

[HotToastyRag · 8/10 · 22 October 2021]

If you're a Danny Glover fan, find yourself a copy of the indie drama Mr. Pig and treat yourself to one of his finest performances. If you only think of him as Sergeant Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon series, you owe it to his talent to watch this movie. You'll probably be shocked it's the same actor.

Those of us who do like him will find it a little hard to watch, since we have to see him playing a very old man at death's door. He's in very poor health and spends most of the movie hooked up to an oxygen tank. But why suffer through that image of who we still think of as a virile man? Because in this sweet, small story, he has a best friend. He loves his friend and wants to make sure he'll be taken care of in the years to come. His friend is a pig. Danny can't bear the thought of the pig getting slaughtered or mistreated, so he takes a road trip with his daughter, Maya Rudolph to find the pig a good home.

Danny and Maya have a strained relationship, so this isn't strictly a "we love animals" movie. It's an internal drama about getting all your affairs in order at the end and prioritizing the ones you love. At times hard to watch, it radiates love in every scene to make it all worthwhile.

Mr Pig not bad...!!!

[yagulito · 10/10 · 18 January 2017]

This film has a very unique story also has obviously great actors with a very great scenery in the last few minutes of the film which is really beautiful I enjoyed the film, sometimes the film was a a bit annoying, but despite that the actors act great; is an independent film which works beautifully The message of the film is great the photography like I mentioned before is south west of the bay which is very beautiful; it was located in Boca De Tomatlan,Jalisco, Mexico 🇲🇽 And near by surroundings going south of Mexico on the bay off Puerto Vallarta,Jalisco, 🇲🇽

Which is not mentioned in the film . I hope everybody enjoys this film because I certainly did Enjoy it especially the scenery which was very beautiful and remind me when I just to live in in Puerto Vallarta with my friends in Nadaderos near Boca De Tomatlan.

Enjoy the film Juggalos 🇲🇽👍🏾👌🏾😁🎥😄👀

Hello to everybody over there Yaagul.

A surprisingly great film

[allisonlscates · 10/10 · 2 August 2017]

I had Mr. Pig saved on my Netflix list for a long time and finally finished watching it. I thought the film was very good as it touches upon family relationships, animal cruelty, and our unconditional desire to help others.

Danny Glover plays Ambrose, an ailing father who is losing his farm and goes on a journey to Mexico to sell his prized pig, Howard. Midway on his journey, his health beings to take a toll and his daughter Eunice (Maya Rudolph) joins him on his trip. What I liked so much about the film was how simple it was but yet examines so many aspects of human emotion.

You first see how much love Ambrose has for his pig Howard. On the trip, Ambrose regularly stops to feed and bathe Howard, even casually talking to him. Once Howard gets to his friend, Payo's farm, he discovers the horrid living conditions of the pigs. The pigs live in cramped cages and are regularly fed antibiotics. Ambrose becomes upset at the living conditions and Payo says that is how pig farming is done now. Discovering that this would be the life for Howard, Ambrose quickly decides to find Howard a better home.

Eunice arrives to help her father sell his pig and return home. Once she arrives Ambrose's health begins to deteriorate which seems to draw the pair closer together. With Eunice's arrival, you see the complicated relationship between her and her father. Eunice cares so much for him even when at times he becomes stubborn and Ambrose expresses the things he regrets about her upbringing.

I found myself going through all kinds of emotions as I was watching Mr. Pig. I was feeling sorry for the pig, Howard. I felt worried about Ambrose. I even felt Eunice's frustrations as she was dealing with her dad. But more importantly, I really wanted to keep watching to see what would happen to them on their journey. I really recommend this movie if you need something to watch on Netflix as this movie has terrific acting and writing.

Feel good/feel sad movie

[daniellocke-46271 · 8/10 · 5 January 2021]

Good movie, pretty good acting by Danny Glover and Maya Randolph. Dying old hog farmer wants to give his last pig a good rest of its life in Mexico, but things don't go as planned and his estranged daughter joins him. Predictable ending.

Howard is the cutest and smartest and most succulent pet in the world!

[juanmuscle · 10/10 · 4 April 2019]

The pig does not like it when humans bathe him, like Danny Glover in the film, then later we come to find out he does like water, he jumps into the ocean on his own volition and swims and everything.

Danny claims he is a dead beat dad but in the end he was able to do exactly what we thought was going to be impossible, how the hell is he going to find a nice home for Howard in Mexico when everyone looks at him like he should be part of breakfast lunch and dinner and late night snack! lol, and leave something behind for his daughter.

but it does all work out, that's the trippi, thing, Howard does find a nice home where it looks like he is going to live out his golden years just fine in a natural habitat; another great scene is when he is looking for Howard in the pig pens and the pigs begin to freak out as though they are trying to tell him , this is not place for any pig to call home and he feels all this , its very cool and thought out.

So right when it looks like they should give up because he made a large mistake forgoing the easy money for the sake of Howard's sanity and health; something better is looming around the corner and its grand!

This was just wonderful on so many levels; I highly recommend it, catch it on Netflix if you can!

Beautiful, slow burn, understated delight

[adhume · 8/10 · 18 June 2021]

We join a beaten down, broke - and terminally ill -Ambrose (Danny Glover) who, it later transpires, has neither been a good father nor husband, at least not in the traditional sense.

At this point, his primary driver is finding a place where his prize winning pig, Howard, will receive as much love and care that Ambrose gives - a tall order given the man's total devotion to his (admittedly charming) porcine friend.

Ambrose decides to embark on a long journey to see Payo, the son of an old friend, who now runs his family's successful pig farm in Mexico, as he feels this will be best for Howard, with whom he philosophises and chunters continually. Howard's grunts and snaffles are all the replies needed.

Shocked by what the farm tour reveals, Ambrose storms off, semi incoherent with upset at Howard's likely fate - naturally with his beloved pig in tow.

Danny Glover captures the shambolic reactions of an old, sick, disappointed man - moreover one whose overriding concern is for his animal, rather than cash - so beautifully. You can see his erratic - and often irascible - behaviour is driven by love.

The episode affects him(and his health) deeply and, having thus far only spoken his daughter Eunice (Maya Rudolph)on the phone, she drives out to meet him. Their relationship initially seems fragile. He's been absent for most of her life and she neither knows how ill he is, nor gets his passion for animals and their welfare. She very soon finds out though - and is reminded of something important from her childhood. They sometimes argue but that's because he's a man on a mission; moreover one who knows he's short on options, with no time to be patient when it comes to safeguarding Howard.

Despite the squabbles - and the merciful lack of ridiculous melodrama - the formerly hectoring Eunice is slowly won over by Ambrose who, when not striving on behalf of his four legged pal, is soft and reflective, easily acknowledging - and regretting - his past mistakes, while in no way feeling sorry for himself.

I know it seems rather late to be reviewing this 5 years after its release, but having only just shown on Netflix, I am delighted to have finally caught up with this lovely little hidden gem, for it is indeed, a diamond.

Beautiful, Powerful.

[sonnybarr · 10/10 · 18 July 2021]

A beautiful and powerful film.

People that give this one star are fools.