Red Dog is an iconically Australian film that, through a cast of rugged yet lovable characters, tells the tale of a true Pilbara legend. Directed by Kriv Stenders (Lucky Country), this is one of only a handful of Australian films to come along since The Castle with a thoroughly endearing story that really pulls at the heartstrings, while also staying true to the spirit of the northwest.
A weary truck driver stops in at a small Dampier hotel to find a large group of locals in anguish over a sick canine. The truckie is immediately struck by how distressed they all are and begins to ask why. As they wait for the vet, one by one the patrons proudly regale their own stories of Red Dog, of how he became their friend and the symbol of iron ore country. As the anecdote's flow as freely as the beer, it becomes clear that Red Dog has touched each one of the local's lives in one way or another and is a treasured member of the community. From the story of how he met his only true master, John (Josh Lucas), to how he helped Vanno the eccentric Italian (Arthur Angel) find love, each tale is an honouring of Red Dog's legend.
There is so much to love about this film. The story is told in such a uniquely Aussie way (at a dusty pub in 1970's Dampier), the visuals of the vast red Pilbara region definitely appeal to Aussie patriotism and the quirky personalities are so easy to like. But the single device that elevates the story above all its other elements is that it's based on true events and a real life red kelpie known as Tally Ho, Bluey or simply, Red Dog. Constructed from anecdotal stories collected by Australian author Nancy Gillespie not long after Red Dog's death in 1979 and a book by British author Louis de Bernieres, the individual parables told by the film's characters are obviously dramatised but still appear to have germinated from a seed of truth. What gives this story real intensity is the hint of credibility from knowing that this was a real dog and these were real people in history.
Written by Daniel Taplitz (an American no less), the story starts out a little bit corny in its introduction of Jack the Publican (Noah Taylor) and the overly stereotypical Italian immigrant, Vanno. However, after the first 10 minutes the 'cheese' melts away and the characters begin to shine in a more authentic way. John Batchelor as Peeto and Angel as Vanno provide excellent comic relief for the more serious storyline of John and Nancy (Rachael Taylor). Thankfully, Red Dog is played by a real canine, Koko, and not animated through CGI, as is the trend in most animal based films nowadays. The classic rock soundtrack also provides an added dimension to the gritty, frontier-ish feel of 70's Dampier.
One thing that I really didn't expect as I sat watching this film was the emotional response. Not one to really get misty about such things as your everyday picture show, I most definitely welled up more than once (although it was perhaps exacerbated by the unstable older lady three rows back who literally bawled for a good 20 minutes - so I may possibly be able to blame it on some sort of sympathy tearage). Nonetheless, I can honestly say that I have not been so viscerally moved by a movie in this way since I was about 5 years old and E.T. almost died. This is when the satisfaction level for me went through the roof. A good movie will make you feel something (other than apathy). A great movie will keep you feeling that emotional high (or low) many days later just from the memory of certain scenes alone - and Red Dog certainly achieves that in spades.
Of all the Australian films to come out in the last few years, for me at least, Red Dog stands easily head and shoulders above the rest. Heartfelt and genuine, it really is a story that focuses solely on the relationships that vastly different and often lonely people forge with animals and each other when times are tough. A definite must see (but bring kleenex).
4 STARS
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