Not My Dog is a family-oriented film that, in a nutshell, is about a middle school girl named Bridget (Rylie Pennington), who comes across a dog on a bridge that persistently follows her around. Bridget constantly tells the dog, whom she names “Nudge,” that he’s not her dog and she proceeds to tell others in town the same thing.
She’s running an errand when she meets the black dog at the bridge. He follows her into town, and she comes across a woman coming out of a store – her name is Mrs. Athelia (Marika Dominczyk) – who instantly berates Bridget for not having a leash on the dog. Bridget explains it is not her dog, but Mrs. Athelia doesn’t swallow that. Honestly, Nudge the dog is civil, and easy-going, so Mrs. Athelia’s beratement of the dog seems a bit far-fetched. In fact, she continually tries to have the local animal control person, named Phil (Sal Rendine), capture him but Sal was already unsuccessful in his previous attempt to do so. Mrs. Athelia is definitely annoying.
One of the highlights of the movie is when Bridget connects with a girl in the park playing the guitar and singing, named Jesse (Analise Scarpaci), and they later do a duet together. The song is about two unlikely friends coming together and their roads blending, and both girls are talented and have nice voices.
The movie is based in New England (filmed in Connecticut), and there are some nice scenes of landscapes and the local park. In one humorous scene Bridget is leaving her house with Nudge and says, “All right, Frodo, it’s time to leave the shire.” Fortunately for Bridget, her parents like the dog. But again, perhaps overplayed, is Bridget constantly saying to herself, to the dog, and to others, “He’s not my dog.” Of course, the ending is predictable as the audience will no doubt calculate where Nudge ends up and with whom.
As Bridget enters a small market, Nudge follows her in and she has to explain to the owner, “He’s not my dog.” That’s the plot in a nutshell – Bridget stating often that he’s not her dog. Rylie Pennington does a good job as Bridget and the movie features a couple of scenes with veteran actor Eric Roberts, who plays a man hanging out at a table in the park with his friend, playing chess. A character tells Bridget that Nudge has a face of “loyalty.” In another nice scene, a sign is displayed about adopting dogs. In yet another scene, Bridget’s mother tells her that she always wanted a dog. The enjoyment of owning a dog is obviously a theme of the movie. A few high schoolers give Bridget and Nudge a difficult time as they walk by, with one student even threatening Nudge with a stick. But the movie illustrates that people can change as, later on, Bridget becomes friends with the kids.
The movie has a couple of nice themes such as how dogs can bring joy to people, and that people can change and become friends. However, there is a use of the Lord’s name in vain, along with another swear word, and we are unable to award the movie our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal.
Content Analysis: There is strong language used in the film, as well as name calling such as “imbecile.” It does not contain a Christian worldview although it does illustrate a caring father and mother.
Think About It: Discussion points would include how pets can be a blessing in a family’s life, and how to work through a rough start when meeting certain people, such as in school, but how friendship can still happen with some effort and forgiveness.
The Dove Take: Despite containing a positive message about pets and dogs, the film features strong language and regrettably has not earned our Dove Seal. It is listed as Dove Reviewed.
