The Year of the Dog

Without spoilers; this is one of the top indie/feel good films I've seen in the past decade. The acting and directing truly show the heart of all that worked on the film. It leaves you feeling like you can work on yourself, even if life throws hurdle after hurdle. It's a story of true love and devotion, and how love can show in many different forms. It is a piece about finding the best in yourself, even if that means looking for outside help. It shows you're never too gone to find someone who will always be there for you, even if that someone is a furry- four footed friend. 10/10 definitely recommend.

I am a third Generation Montanan and this movie filmed near my hometown of Livingston, Montana. It featured a church my father helped to build which is included in the Robert Redford film, a River Runs Through It. I worked in the addictions field for many years including in a women's prison and this story is a pretty accurate portrayal of addiction and some of the patternings that can follow. The relationship between Matt's character and his sponsor was so touching to me. I also thought the way Yup'ik was depicted was in keeping with my own experience of raising Siberian huskies -- they are escape artists, extremely stubborn, and more toward the feral end of dog breeds, but they so loving and absolutely worth it, and true life changing.

source: The Year of the Dog

source: The Year of the Dog

I loved The Year of the Dog! Beautifully shot in Montana in winter, the snowy mountains make a magnificent background for the story of Matt (played by Rob Grabow), an alcoholic whose recovery journey leads him to a chance encounter with stray husky. Matt convinced that he needs the husky for his goal to stay sober for 30-days (his mother's dying wish), adopts the dog and names him Yup'ik. The man-dog bond is delightful to watch. And yes, the husky (played by rescue, Caleb) is a scene-stealer. Grabow who also wrote, produced, and co-directed the film, cast an an accomplished group of film and television actors, including two prominent Indigenous actors: Jon Proudstar (veteran of over 50 films and TV series, including Hulu's Reservation Dogs) and Lakota actor Michael Spears (Dances with Wolves, Reservation Dogs, and 1923), an incredible group of military veterans in both cast and crew roles, as well as a glorious array of dogs. Sit back and enjoy The Year of the Dog -- but be sure to have a box of tissues nearby.

There's a lot to love about this movie - maybe my favorite thing is that it explores male vulnerability with other men, which is something we rarely see in the movies. I believe that's something we all benefit from witnessing. And this movie has several scenes where you so deeply feel for the pain the lead character Matt, beautifully played by Rob Grabow, is going through. And you just want him to make it through! I also love the doggies! They are so cute and it's a lot of fun to watch Matt bond with his new Husky friend. The Husky is actually a real life rescue and this film started his entertainment career which is a cool behind the scenes detail. The most beautiful part of the movie though is that it is about connection. The importance of our connection with the ones we love when we're struggling and suffering. It's a very meaningful look at the struggle of living with addiction and working to get sober and will resonate so strongly with anyone who has struggled with or knows someone who has struggled with addiction. Go see it!!!!

I loved watching The Year of the Dog and going through all the extreme emotions with the main characters in this great story. The film is about developing trust and love after deep losses, classic man versus himself conflict. And a great rescue dog. It was so realistic I did not want it to end. Wonderful sensitive performances from the lead actor (and writer) Rob Grabow, and amazing actors Michael Spears and Jon Proudstar who are Native American. You will find history and strength and wisdom in their words. I learned a lot about sled dogs and dog psychology that I did not know before, even though I grew up with a best friend dog - a German Shepherd mix not unlike the dog in the movie - and am a lifelong dog lover. The movie star dog is a stray Husky underdog (and was a rescued abandoned dog in real life too), like the fictional main human character says of himself in the trailer. He is a man estranged from his own family and recovering from alcohol addiction. Watching the relationship grow between the headstrong dog and the equally obstinate man, who starts out clueless about dogs, was a delight. A few moments of the film are burned in my memory, one when the Husky and recovering alcohol nap together is so peaceful. Montana is beautiful in the movie. I had never been there or seen dog sledding before, but it is really remote. Watching the movie in theaters at the Village East in New York City, I was transported to a wilder cleaner place. The music in the movie is original and lovely. I hope this comes out on streaming sites so I can watch it again. At some scenes I laughed, but I also cried. As a reviewer here said, bring tissues. Recovery from alcoholism is a tough road to watch. I had alcoholics in the extended family and I wish they had had friends and a dog like this to bring them love and hope. I highly recommend The Year of the Dog to viewers!

source: The Year of the Dog

The Year of the Dog is a beautiful story about the opportunities the world presents to us to heal. The main character spends much of the film in struggle, but completely surrounded by beautiful expanses, not fully aware the miracle that abounded around him. It's a great less that the more we are willing to be vulnerable in relationship to those around us, the more we will attract many moments of meaningful connection with ourselves and others. I think the relationship between Yup'ik the dog and his human is particularly touching. I recommend that if you watch, have some Kleenex available, as you may cry a lot, but tears of joy. Also, the musical score is outstanding, and as alluded to above, the Montana setting is truly awe inspiring.

I grew up in Alaska, including rural village where the relationships between dogs and human beings were rooted in deep love, respect, and actually, in many case, survival. And the really powerful part of the film to me was the message of community. For those of us who have known or lost people close to us to addiction, I can speak from the heart when saying that this film really tries (and I feel successfully at times) to reflect back to people who are struggling with alcoholism, drug addiction, or really with any kind of emotional pain, as accurate a reflection back as possible about those experiences. As imperfect as it can be at times, I believe this film strives to remind us that we are not alone. That's the point of art. That matters because of how exponentially more painful the experience of suffering can be when we feel like we have to brook it without support or the love others. And my hope for this film is that people takeaway that it is okay to be vulnerable -- emotionally open -- and that when people are struggling, we don't need to fix them or make them feel better. We just need to be there, we just need to show up, prepared to tell them we love them. Love is the point of this film and my heartfelt congratulations to so many people who made this film!