There are many stories that teach us valuable lessons; takes us on journeys to distant lands and often engages us in an emotional capacity. A Dog’s Purpose is one of the few that accomplishes all the above successfully. It conveys the story of a dog who through four reincarnations attempts to find his purpose in life. This is something we all have questioned from time to time but to understand and observe it from a dog’s perspective is quite compelling . As an animal lover, I did find it a lot more emotional than originally anticipated. However, if you are someone who does not understand the inimitable value and bond that dogs and humans share then this film is not for you.
Bailey and Ethan
This beautiful story begins when Bailey, a Golden Retriever(voiced by Josh Gad), is rescued from suffocation in a hot car by Ethan (Bryce Gheisar) and his mom (Juliet Rylance). It is this relationship that frames the entire narrative – something others have evidently overlooked. Dog Whisperer Cesar Milan often says that: “We get the dog we need, not the dog we want”. I agree whole heartedly with this sentiment and Lasse Hallström conveys this message beautifully. Set in America during the 1960’s, Bailey and Ethan’s bond is immediate.
Growing up in a tumultuous household has evidently left its mark on Ethan. As a result, Bailey finds his purpose: to guide and support Ethan through a difficult period in his life and to be his one true friend.
During Ethan’s adolescence (K.J. Apa), Bailey is instrumental in protecting him against bullies; supporting him at his football games (in the absence of his father – Luke Kirby); saving his life; building his confidence sufficiently to challenge his alcoholic father and aligning him with his true love, Hannah (Britt Robertson)
Perhaps the saddest moment at this point in the film is the sight of Bailey chasing after Ethan’s car as he leaves for college. With the use of close ups and wide angle shots respectively, we get a sense of despondent awareness that Bailey will not be there when Ethan returns. There is a similar moment in Hatchi: A Dog’s Tail when Richard Gere’s character tries to play fetch with Hatchi but he never seems interested until the morning his master dies. It is at that moment that he tries to prevent him from going to work and we know by Hatchi’s behaviour they won’t see one another again. A Dog’s Purpose severs the connection between Bailey and Ethan with incredible warmth and sensitivity. One would need to have a heart of stone to not be affected by this. As we dry our eyes and mourn the loss of Bailey, we are quickly parachuted into the next phase of his life.
In the second act, Bailey returns as a female German Shepherd called Ellie who works as a police dog. This sequence is considerably shorter than the others. Nonetheless, Ellie still finds her purpose: to protect her owner in the line of duty and to mend his broken heart. It is never articulated why her owner, Carlos (John Ortiz),is so guarded but we can tell from the photograph in his room that he has evidently lost someone close. Dogs by nature are instinctively aware when something is wrong. This is why Ellie returns to Carlos’s room every night in the hope that she can ease his pain. Finally he relents to allow her to sleep beside him but their time together is cut short. Ellie risks her life for Carlos and the sight of this once toughly guarded police officer crying at the side of his best friend dying is gut wrenching. Although their time was brief, Ellie still fulfilled her purpose.
Third time around, Bailey reincarnates as a Corgi named Tino. In a similar capacity to his former lives, Tino is assigned to an owner,Maya (Kirby Howell – Baptiste), who needs him to combat her loneliness. 
With his assistance, she eventually marries and has a family of our own. Similiar to Marley and Me, we see Tino grow up within a family and observe the organic process of his existence. In this life, he brings joy to a growing family; falls in love and is a treasured member of his pack. In contrast to his previous lives, Tino’s passing is not dealt with the same emotional turmoil. Instead, his time ends naturally and before we have time to grieve him, he is once again reborn.
On a personal level, the final reincarnation is without a doubt the most emotional. Bailey returns as Buddy, a Bernese Mountain Dog whose appearance is as close to a Golden Retriever’s as possible. Could this be a coincidence or is the director trying to convey something to the audience? Observing this sequence, I started to wonder if it were actually possible that the dog from your childhood or even at any point in your life, could or would come back to you in a different form. My heart skipped at the thought of it.
Similar to the beginning of the film, Bailey begins his life with an abusive owner who eventually abandons him. In my opinion, this was an act of unintended kindness because now Bailey can find someone who will truly love and appreciate him. Incidentally, Bailey finds his way back to Ethan (Dennis Quaid), who happens to be still living in the same house. Of course it takes the former a while to realise that his best friend has returned home. I found myself sitting in the theatre quietly hoping and willing Ethan to make the connection. Admittedly, the lengths that Bailey went to were both comical and touching. Living as a bachelor, we wonder what happened to Hannah. That question is quickly resolved as Bailey accidentally locates her and orchastrates a reconciliation.
Having successfully reunited Ethan and Hannah (Peggy Lipton), Bailey must now find a way to convey his true idenity. As Ethan tidies up after the wedding, Bailey finds the deflated football that he and Ethan used to play with.
Although Ethan is surprised to see it after all these years, he naturally does not make the connection. It takes a few throws and a signature ‘Bailey trick’ before he stops and asks if Buddy is Bailey. Is it really possible that “Boss Dog” has returned?
“Boss Dog?”
Bailey and crazy members of the audience (most notably me) confirm that he is. With joyous elation, Ethan welcomes his best friend home. As the camera slowly zooms out, we know that Bailey and Ethan will enjoy a fulfilled life together.
Bailey and Ethan – reunited.
BookNutsey 