Mike White has a specific style of writing that somehow
manages to poke fun without losing touch with reality. The result is often a
melancholy sense of humor, sometimes dark but honest above all else. Year of
the Dog marks White’s turn at directing his own script, though the scripts he
has written for others have been fantastic. White uses the same sensibilities
that have often been applied to his other scripts by other directors, with many
similarities to Chuck and Buck in terms of aesthetics. What is even more
impressive is the entourage of fantastic actors willing to be in the film.
Molly Shannon alone gives such a dedicated and honest portrayal of a sincerely
lonely woman, setting aside all slapstick and humor that she is normally known
for. This is a comparable film with Punch-Drunk Love in terms of the
opportunity it offered Adam Sandler. Granted Year of the Dog is not to be held
to the same standards, especially considering the large ensemble films Paul
Thomas Anderson had already made, but Shannon
is certainly as dedicated to playing the role completely straight.
Peggy (Molly Shannon) appears to be a fairly content person
in her life, happy to go about her business at work and with her friends as
long as she has her dog Pencil to return home to. Even as her brother and
sister-in-law, who is played by a wonderfully anal Laura Dern, flaunt their
children in her face Peggy doesn’t even seem to mind being single. Pencil is a
companion to her day and night, even sleeping beside her. We see their routine
enough to know that when Pencil leaves the bed to explore outside one evening
it can only end badly for him. Peggy is crushed by the loss of her only
companion and her mood is not elevated by friends, family or work. At the same
time she finds that the death of her dog brings her all sorts of new
opportunities.
When searching for her dog Peggy bothers the man living next
door (John C. Reilly), who asks her on a date afterwards. Not having Pencil to
hold her back anymore Peggy finds herself in new situations, dating with all of
the quirks that come attached. Another man brought into Peggy’s life by the
incident when she receives a call to adopt a dog from a worker (Peter
Sarsgaard) who was there when Pencil was brought in. Peggy develops a crush and
takes the hobby of getting homes for dogs as well as changing her lifestyle to
vegan. Every choice she makes is meant to lead to satisfaction and happiness
but ultimately people disappoint her.
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