When the previews for Dog came out, I was honestly
expecting a ridiculous film about a dog one-upping a thirtysomething bachelor
who likely needed a bit of schooling on relationships. Think Turner and
Hooch, but more silly. When I saw Dog, I was pleasantly surprised by
the serious message and the appropriately delivered story. When the film opens,
we meet Lulu, a Belgian Malinois dog who was trained as a military K-9, and her
handler Riley Rodriguez through photos, drawings, and poetry, apparently
created by Riley Rodriguez, Lulu’s handler, as he details their day-to-day work
and play in the rough terrain of Afghanistan. Through these photos, drawings,
poems, and details of the opening montage, we quickly learn of the strong bond
between the Lulu and Rodriguez, one that can not easily be replicated should
either dog or human cease to exist. It is certainly understandable that this
bond would be unbreakable considering the intensity of Rodriguez and Lulu’s
career as it is literally a daily life-and-death struggle.
We then meet Army Ranger Jackson Briggs, played by Channing
Tatum who also co-directed the film, working in what appears to be a “Subway”
style sandwich shop, while trying to reup his enlistment despite a traumatic
brain injury from his previous tour in Afghanistan. His calls his former
Commanding Officer and attempts to get his former unit to vouch for him but, due
to Briggs’ traumatic brain injury (TBI) which is documented in his medical
record, neither his CO or his unit will recommend him for service. This is an
important detail of our story, as it reveals how Briggs’ sees his self-worth
only through his military service, and when he cannot re-enlist, he feels he
has no value, which can open discussions not only on veterans returning from
combat but also on mental health more generally. Two major world events are
relevant here, the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan bringing home
veterans who may feel their self-worth is no longer valid as their combat duty
came to a sudden end; and the pandemic which contributed to isolation and
furthered depression as a result. According to a March 2, 2022 press release, “In
the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, global prevalence of anxiety and
depression increased by a massive 25%, according to a scientific brief released
by the World Health Organization (WHO),” making the mental health issues we see
in Briggs even more relevant to our current situation.
We also learn early in our film that Rodriguez died in a car
accident, which sets the stage for the road trip storyline…. Briggs must bring
Lulu to Rodriguez’s funeral. If he can do this one mission, Briggs’ CO promises
to recommend Briggs for service. But, of course, there is a catch. Although
Briggs and Rodriguez were close, Lulu has been dubbed “aggressive” as she is
not cooperative with any handlers now that Rodriguez is gone, and
understandably so since that bond was so strong. So, Lulu will attend the
funeral, with Briggs, and then be euthanized as she is not considered
adoptable. And so the road trip, and the bonding, begin. Lulu and Briggs find
through this long journey that they actually have much in common, dealing with
PTSD, TBI, and of course the loss of Rodriguez, which may not have been an
accident, lending even more to the important mental health discussions in this
film.
Without giving away too much, the film is much more serious
and relevant than expected. Of course there are laughs and silly moments, but
there are also endearing moments, lessons learned, bonding, and sharing, and
tears. Both Briggs and Lulu grow and learn throughout the film. They both
suffer from PTSD and TBI, they both feel as though they lost their self-worth
after their combat tours ended, they both have to come to terms with loss, and
they both need to learn to adjust to civilian life. Even though they do not
always get along, this is certainly a pair that need each other, and we get to
go along for the ride sharing in their journey while opening conversations
about mental health, veteran’s healthcare, and the importance of bonding with a
furry friend who may actually understand us better than we do ourselves.
