Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dog tale has more kissing, dating stuff than you'd expect.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
CINNAMON (voiced by former Disney star Brenda Song) is a seriously spoiled Maltese who's used to getting her own way, particularly when it comes to her indulgent "mommy," divorced single mother Madeline (Cynthia Gibb). But things change for little Cinnamon when Madeline meets Kevin (Greg Evigan), a handsome widower with a 13-year-old son, Jordan (Kendall Ryan Sanders). Unhappy with the prospect of not being Madeline's center of attention, Cinnamon starts a strategic campaign to sabotage Madeline and Kevin's whirlwind romance. Eventually, Cinnamon must decide whether she wants Madeline to be unhappy -- but all hers -- or to share her owner with the man of her dreams.
Is It Any Good?
Family films require a delicate balance, lest "wholesome" quickly turn into "bland" and "kid friendly" become an adult snoozefest; while CINNAMON isn't completely boring, it's a strange hybrid. It's a mix of post-divorce romance, middle-school puppy love, and talking-dog comedy. The humor is pretty forgettable (mostly slapstick gags), and the story feels overlong for such a paper-thin plot (dog likes being the apple of her owner's eye and attempts to destroy her favorite human's chance at love).
For such a low-budget live-action film, Gibb and Evigan are surprisingly capable actors, but their on-screen kids come off as more annoying than relatable. Plus, let's face it -- there are only so many ways an audience can watch a dog come between her owner on a date before it (quickly) starts to fall flat. Just as Madeline and Kevin deserve their love to grow, families deserve movies that aren't just mediocre. Sadly, Cinnamon isn't nearly as tangy or sweet as the title implies.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of talking-animal films. Why are animals that speak so often featured in family films?
Although Cinnamon is a dog, her reluctance to share her "mommy" could apply to the way kids feel when their single parent starts dating. Is Madeline and Kevin's relationship a good example of how to handle a blended family?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 8, 2012
- Cast : Brenda Song , Cynthia Gibb , Greg Evigan
- Director : Michael Feifer
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : ARC Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Animals
- Run time : 91 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : mild thematic elements
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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