I Heart Shakey
By Sandie Angulo Chen,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Father-daughter dog tale swings from sweet to over the top.
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What's the Story?
Widower J.T. O'Neil (Steve Lemme) and his daughter, Chandler (Rylie Behr), move from Toledo, Ohio, to Chicago so he can pursue his dream of becoming a master chef. The O'Neils, who are accompanied by their faithful dog, Shakey, arrive at their big city high-rise only to discover that dogs are strictly forbidden on the premises. Forced to kennel Shakey or lose their deposit, J.T. and Chandler are depressed -- until their dog manages to find himself back at the apartment building. After trying to hide Shakey from the nosy building super and the dog-hating manager, Chandler realizes that she should try to change the unfair rules, not just continue to break them.
Is It Any Good?
I HEART SHAKEY's premise, albeit predictable, is promising, and the two primary actors (Broken Lizard alum Lemme and newcomer Behr) are genuinely likable. A father and daughter teaming up to save their beloved dog? It's the stuff family movies are made of, and Lemme and Behr are actually good enough actors to make their pitiful situation believable. Unfortunately, the movie has far too many manic, exaggerated characters to be enjoyable when Lemme and Behr have to share the screen with them.
The story takes a considerable turn for the worse once the ridiculously snooty and scowling manager, Ms. Willinger (Janet Ulrich Brooks), makes her first appearance. The role should have been played with the devilish subtlety that Imelda Staunton brought to her role as Professor Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter, but instead she's depicted as an even more deranged Cruella De Vil (obviously) who bulges her eyes like the Bride of Frankenstein. And she's not even the worst offender -- practically every other adult in the film is a stereotype, particularly the laughably flamboyant Mattias (Philippe Brenninkmeyer), who owns the restaurant where J.T. works, and the militaristic Stubbs (Steve Guttenberg). If you can overlook the overacting and focus on the father-daughter-dog triangle, it's possible to like Shakey -- but heart it? Probably not.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of dog-centered family films. Do you prefer animal movies in which the animals talk or more realistic depictions? What are your favorite dog movies?
How does I Heart Shakey portray the difficulties of moving to a new place? Chandler has to deal with bullies at her new school, but she also makes a new and important friend. Is her school life believable to those who've moved or transferred?
Movie Details
- In theaters: June 29, 2012
- On DVD or streaming: August 28, 2012
- Cast: Rylie Behr, Steve Guttenberg, Steve Lemme
- Director: Kevin Cooper
- Inclusion Information: Latinx actors
- Studio: Phase 4 Films
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Cats, Dogs, and Mice
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: some rude humor, mild language, and brief smoking
- Last updated: December 31, 2022
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