This movie is the second best black comedy I've seen. (the other one was Waitress) This film is about the transformation of a dog lover to an animal activist. So she slowly becomes a maniac, to put it bluntly. She does illegal acts to show her activism, but unlike the adult reviewer, I don't think it's propaganda. Yes, I thought the threat to kill was a little too much. Also there's an image of a wall of mounted stuffed animals, two images of animal experimentation, a near-visit to a slaughterhouse and some mild cursing. But it's a good film that teaches us that everyone has something to love.
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Year of the Dog
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
SNL alum shines as grieving, lonely animal lover.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13 and Up
What to watch out for
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What Parents Need to Know
About Year of the Dog
Parents need to know that this dramedy chronicles a pet lover's transformation into a hardcore animal-rights activist. The film portrays veganism and animal adoption positively and casts a negative light on game hunting, wearing fur, and eating meat. Molly Shannon's character is socially awkward and incredibly lonely, so there are some tear-jerking scenes of her after her beloved dog's accidental death. Children who have pets and/or love animals may be disturbed by photographic images of animal cruelty, a wall of mounted stuffed animals, and three instances of pets dying.
Read our full review by Sandie Angulo Chen
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about how Peggy's character is portrayed. Does the movie link her depression with "craziness"? Is that accurate? What do you think about her belief that humans disappoint but animals always have love to give. Is it healthy for someone to love their pet(s) more than other humans? Families can also discuss how the media deals with social issues like animal rights. Are movies and TV shows an appropriate forum to deal with those issues? Why or why not? Was Peggy justified in taking her niece to the animal sanctuary? What about when she ruins her sister-in-law's fur coats? Kids: What do you think about animal rights?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
A Great Movie
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
entertaining? no. propaganda? you bet!
I've never liked Molly Shannon. This movie did nothing to change that. It portrays a descent into madness in response to a pet's death. I'm a HUGE dog lover, but vegans and animal-rights activists take it to a wacky extreme, and that's what Shannon's character does. If you say that's not madness, (SPOILER ALERT), attempted murder of the neighbor you suspect of killing your dog certainly IS. Described as a dark comedy, this movie is all dark and very little comedy.
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