Parents' Guide to Darling Companion

Darling Companion has a pure message that it delivers in at-times wonderfully simple but other times discouragingly pat story. Yes, it's important that Joseph learns the value of family -- and no, it comes as no surprise that he does. Nor is it a shock that the doctor gets an important lesson in humility as he discovers that sometimes the surgeon needs to be cared for. But most of that's forgivable given the wealth of talent that graces the screen. Kline and Keaton, both consummate professionals, have an authentic (if unsurprising) moment of realization about the state of their marriage that could make even the steeliest of hearts crack. And Wiest and Jenkins steal the show as a couple that appears, at first, to be hapless and troubled but proves to be the best companions of all.

But unfortunately there are issues that prevent Darling Companion from being, well, darling. Let's start with the quasi-psychic caretaker who helps track down the dog. That she's of Roma descent isn't just annoyingly stereotypical but also superfluous. Her character seems tagged on for added ... what? It's never clear. There's always a place for the mystical, but plotlines that veer toward it should be done well. As it stands, that element in particular makes the film seem more like a TV movie of the week than a feature film with A-list stars.