Parents' Guide to

In the Doghouse

By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Dog and kids save mom in poorly made comedy.

Movie NR 2014 81 minutes
In the Doghouse Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • In the Doghouse Movie: Scene #1
  • In the Doghouse Movie: Scene #2
  • In the Doghouse Movie: Scene #3
  • In the Doghouse Movie: Scene #4

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What's the Story?

In IN THE DOGHOUSE, Amber and Justin's mom, Wendy, has divorced their dad, Nate (Matt Masella). He seems perfectly nice but it's hinted that he had been insufficiently emotional to satisfy Wendy. When Wendy (Kim Hamilton) starts to date, the kids (Alana Baer and Logan Dondanville), with the assistance of the dog, Irving, plot to scare off all prospective stepdads. Their scheme goes well until they are forced to face mom's long-lost high school ex, Dave (Matthew Easton). Wendy had enshrined him in her memory as someone destined for success, and far too good for her. Unemployed Dave, now living with his mother, sees Wendy win a million-dollar lottery on television and hatches a plot to make a profitable return into Wendy's good graces. The kids and dog immediately sense danger and strategize Dave's downfall.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This is a poorly made and acted family "comedy." The comedy of exaggeration works only when written with wit and executed by way of talented direction and performances, all glaringly absent here. Apart from the motivation of kids desperate to get their divorced parents back together, not much makes sense. For example, in reminiscing about Dave, Wendy speculates that by now he'd have to be a successful CEO somewhere, far too good to be interested in the likes of her. But nothing about the Dave we meet remotely indicates that any promise for greatness ever resided in this character. Kids may want to watch for the cute canine but parents may find In the Doghouse hard to view given its overall poor quality.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how difficult it is for kids of newly divorced parents to adjust to such and emotionally challenging situation. This slapstick approach in In the Doghouse ignores any real emotion. Do you think this depiction is meant to be realistic? Why or why not?

  • The kids here want their parents to get back together so they sabotage their mother's dates, a series of men she brings directly to their house. Do you think a real mom would be more sensitive to her children about dating than this one is?

  • Do you think this is a good comedy? What makes movies funny?

Movie Details

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