Movie review: Red Dog

Red Dog. Photo / Supplied

Red is well known across the ditch as the kelpie/cattle dog who roamed Australia in the 70s looking for his lost master. The legend is the dog travelled as far south as Perth and as far north as Darwin, even jumping on a fishing boat to Japan and back before returning home to Dampier in Western Australia.

It's a remarkable feat and a good yarn, and even though it sounds like a story embellished by too many pints at the pub it got the attention of British author Louis de Bernieres (Captain Corelli's Mandolin) when he travelled through Dampier. Inspired by Red's story he wrote Red Dog, which is the inspiration for this script by screenwriter Daniel Taplitz.

Regardless of how well cinematographer Geoff Hall captures the vast, stunning Western Australian scenery, Taplitz is aware a dog wandering around the outback doesn't make for much of a movie, so the focus is on the people in Red's life before he goes walkabout.

The film kicks off quite appropriately in a pub, where Red is fighting for his life after suffering strychnine bait poisoning. As the locals descend on the pub to keep vigil they recount their personal stories of Red, including the tragic love story of John (Lucas), an American wanderer and Red's only true master, and his Aussie girlfriend Nancy (Taylor).

Red Dog isn't just the story of a man and his dog; it's also a snapshot of a particular time and place. It gives you a sense of the wild west days of mining in the 70s and the colourful characters who were mad enough to live in this dusty and rough town. It's all delivered, obviously, in Stubbies and with a good dose of Aussie humour.

If there's one thing lacking it's one strong central human story holding the anecdotes together; it contains a few too may sound bites about life rather than genuine dialogue.

One thing Red Dog doesn't lack is heart.

Though the film may be a little clumsy, and a few of the characters more annoying than endearing, you are guaranteed to have a good heartfelt laugh and quite likely a cry, thanks to this little Aussie legend.

Stars: 3/5
Cast: Josh Lucas, Rachel Taylor
Director: Kriv Stenders
Running Time: 92 mins <
strong>Rating: PG (Coarse Language)
Verdict: A wholesome family flick that even Nana will enjoy

-TimeOut