Movie Review – A Dog’s Journey

I didn’t see A Dog’s Purpose, mainly because I knew it would involve me sitting for 90 minutes watching the soul of a dog die several times while he found meaning, and I know I can’t emotionally handle that. A Dog’s Journey (2019) is basically the same thing, so I knew I was in trouble, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying it.

Bailey (voiced by Josh Gad) has found his purpose (from A Dog’s Purpose) with Ethan (Dennis Quaid) and Hannah (Marg Helgenberger) and settles into farm life with Gloria (Betty Gilpin) and young CJ. Gloria is bitter about being a young widow and she resents the family of her dead husband “controlling her life”. She takes CJ and movies away. Having fulfilled his purpose with Ethan, Bailey accepts his promise to Ethan to his life’s work is now keeping CJ (Kathryn Prescott ) safe, no matter how many lives it takes.

I’m not gonna lie to you Marge – A Dog’s Journey was made for anyone who loves dogs, even us cat people who grew up with dogs. Bailey’s unconditional love and simple, innocent logic provide the narration to a story that would have otherwise felt a little light. Bailey/Molly/Big Dog/Max weave in and out of their human’s lives providing another purpose as caretaker and protector. We see what people are made of when they interact with dogs, and how pure and joyous it is. Josh Gad voices all of the dogs, and his open wonder and casual comedic timing are the perfect counterpoints to what could be distressing situations in human terms.

This is the kind of movie you go into willing to weep openly in public and come out the other side with a full heart and a slight headache. I don’t recommend d this for people with small kids unless they can understand the all dogs die (and go to Heaven), or for families that are not yet ready to adopt a dog.

A Dog’s Journey is Rated PG for dogs dying over and over again – YOU MONSTERS – scary situations with kids and dogs, pee and poop humor, life situations, and uncontrollable weeping.