MOVIE REVIEW: A DOG’S BREAKFAST (2006)

Whereas My Big Fat Greek Wedding was an independent film willed to life by a semi-outsider of the film industry, this curious film was an independent labor of love made by TV-show insiders for the fun of it. Boasting simple production values and relying more on audience familiarity with and appreciation of the actors and filmmakers from their work on various Stargate TV series, this is the kind of pet project that either develops a cult following or becomes an also-ran guilty pleasure. Lucky for the filmmakers, it seems to walk that tightrope.

Patrick is a single man, pushing 40, and lives in his childhood home with his pet dog. He’s the kind of simple guy that’s going nowhere and has all the oddball single guy habits and hobbies to back that up. When his sister Marilyn comes to visit with her boyfriend Ryan in tow to announce their engagement, Patrick is wary. During their visit, Patrick overhears Ryan on the phone talking about a murder plot intended for Marilyn, so Patrick springs into action to protect his sister.

The consequences of Patrick’s actions that haunt him over the coming weeks are meant to be amusing to the audience, but they come across as just odd. When all cards are laid down at the end of the film, the explanation didn’t satisfy. For all the effort that goes into all that transpires, I have to ask why the characters weren’t honest with each other from the get-go. Sure, Patrick may deserve to reap some of what he sows, but does that suggest a bit of cruelty from the other parties involved? That was difficult for me to square up, and it makes the whole story feel unnecessary.

The film’s title is a British phrase meaning something that is a mess. That fits Patrick’s predicament well, but the film itself comes close at times to fitting that description too. Maybe the sense of humor is Canadian and I, as an American, don’t quite get it. Or perhaps the humor is somehow connected to the folks responsible for the film and I just don’t catch it as a newcomer to their work. Absent a clear answer, the story’s melodrama and dark comedy make for strange bedfellows, and I daresay that their fusion here needs a few more rewrites to find the proper balance.

Lucky for the filmmakers, this film has a built-in audience. Fans of the Stargate shows are likely to be more forgiving because they will enjoy seeing beloved actors throwing together a quirky labor of love. For the rest of us, it’s a bit of a mixed bag and your mileage may vary. Stargate fans will argue that this is a cult film, while folks like me will argue that A Dog’s Breakfast is a guilty pleasure at best.

FINAL RATING: 2.75 out of 5

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