A Dog's Purpose

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A Dog's Purpose

PG,

2017,

2h 0m,

Comedy/

Drama/

Fantasy

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35%

147 Reviews

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73%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

35%

Tomatometer

147 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

A devoted dog discovers the meaning of its own existence through the lives of the humans it teaches to laugh and love. Reincarnated as multiple canines over the course of five decades, the lovable pooch develops an unbreakable bond with a kindred spirit named Ethan. As the boy grows older and comes to a crossroad, the dog once again comes back into his life to remind him of his true self.

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Critics Consensus

A Dog's Purpose offers an awkward blend of sugary sentiment and canine suffering that tugs at animal-loving audiences' heartstrings with shameless abandon.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

Jun 14, 2017

3/5

A welcome, woofy warning against human speciesism.

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Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

May 10, 2017

1.5/5

This remains a textbook example of what the website Snopes.com refers to as "glurge" -- the kind of gooey uplift associated with the novels of Nicholas Sparks and their film adaptations.

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Simran Hans

Observer (UK)

May 7, 2017

2/5

It's hard not to be charmed by the film's pack of hyperactive, wriggling puppies, but there's only so much time to be spent watching them play before it becomes eye-wateringly banal.

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Hosea Rupprecht

Pauline Media Studies

Aug 26, 2021

Lasse Hallström once again provides theater-goers with some food for thought in A Dog's Purpose. Of course, the food tastes better out of the trash and bacon from under the table is just the best.

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Linda and Al Lerner

Movies and Shakers

Sep 4, 2019

It's a safe family film that's a heart tugger for dog lovers.

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Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

Mar 12, 2019

C

The problem with that premise is you have to watch a dog die 5 times, which is like Marley and Me times 5.

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Theodore G

Apr 25, 2019

Great movie for dog lovers. I gave it 4 stars because, as often is the case, the movie is not as good as the book.

Apr 18, 2019

An emotionally manipulative movie, but I wasn't manipulated so much as I was bored. Young Ethan's storyline plays out like a typical coming-of-age drama, but without the drama. The drunk, abusive dad who becomes an alcoholic for reasons unknown and a contrived house burning scene are the only things that were "dramatic" in the film. Who puts firecrackers through a letterbox? Britt Robertson plays a teenager once again. I know she's cute, but she is too old to play a teenager. The third act with Dennis Quaid and Peggy Lipton were the redeemable parts of the movie, as it had the most emotional depth. But it wasn't rewarding because the subplots between Ethan's storyline were basically fillers, and every time a dog dies, it felt shamelessly manipulative. I think A Dog's Purpose is a movie that only dog lovers will like. I'll admit, I'm not an animal person, but that's not to say that I can't appreciate a good movie about dogs. If you want to watch a good movie about dogs, watch White God. Even Marley & Me is a lot better movie than A Dog's Purpose.

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Harry W

Apr 17, 2019

A Dog's Purpose has a good heart, with a well-intentioned story, especially for dog lovers. However, the numerous dog deaths tug the heart-strings too much, lessening the overall impact of the movie. It's a bit like Ground Dog Day.

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Apr 7, 2019

Sweet movie with a good storyline

Anakin S

Mar 31, 2019

One of the best family films Iï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2(TM)ve since in a while. Broke my heart a bit but a great story,

Poe W

Mar 17, 2019

It may be schmaltzy to the critics, but if you've ever had a dog you really loved--this is the movie for you!

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Lasse Hallström

Director

Josh Gad

Bailey

Dennis Quaid

Ethan Montgomery

Peggy Lipton

Adult Hannah

Bryce Gheisar

Ethan - 8 Years Old

K.J. Apa

Teen Ethan

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Synopsis

A devoted dog discovers the meaning of its own existence through the lives of the humans it teaches to laugh and love. Reincarnated as multiple canines over the course of five decades, the lovable pooch develops an unbreakable bond with a kindred spirit named Ethan. As the boy grows older and comes to a crossroad, the dog once again comes back into his life to remind him of his true self.

Director: Lasse Hallström
Producer: Gavin Polone
Screenwriter: W. Bruce Cameron, Cathryn Michon, Audrey Wells, Maya Forbes, Wallace Wolodarsky
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Pariah, Walden Media, Reliance Entertainment, Universal Pictures
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Some Peril)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 27, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 18, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $64.3M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Datasat, Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Atmos, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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