Introduction
Dog Gone is a new emotional drama film released on Netflix in January 2023. It focuses on the story of Fielding Marshall, a young man with autism whose beloved dog Gonker goes missing on a family camping trip. Desperate to find his dog, Fielding sets out on a journey across the Rocky Mountains with his estranged father John to try and bring Gonker home.
The film has gained a lot of attention for its heartwarming premise about a boy’s bond with his dog, as well as its themes of family, loss, and perseverance. With strong performances by Rob Lowe as the father and Johnny Berchtold as Fielding, Dog Gone has become a popular tearjerker movie that has left many Netflix viewers sobbing yet feeling uplifted.
Plot Summary
Dog Gone centers around a college student named Fielding (Johnny Berchtold) who adopts a rescue dog named Gonker. Fielding struggles to connect with other people but bonds closely with Gonker. On a hiking trip in the Appalachian Mountains, Gonker runs off into the woods after being frightened. Distraught, Fielding reaches out to his estranged father John (Rob Lowe) to help find Gonker. Though they have a strained relationship, John wants to support his son, so he takes time off work to aid in the search. As they retrace Fielding’s steps along the Appalachian Trail, Fielding and John slowly reconnect while encountering various locals who help point them in the right direction. After days of searching, they finally locate Gonker and he is safely returned. Through the experience, Fielding gains confidence and John comes to appreciate his son more. Their relationship is mended, demonstrating the healing power of compassion.
Emotional Themes
Dog Gone focuses on emotional themes like loss, grief, and coping. When John’s beloved dog Gonker goes missing on the Appalachian Trail, John is devastated and determined to find his pet. As described in the Common Sense Media review, John’s “despair is palpable” when Gonker disappears (https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/dog-gone-2023). This deep bond between a boy and his dog will resonate with viewers who have experienced pet loss.
According to Movieguide, the film depicts the “emotional toll John’s loss takes on him” (https://www.movieguide.org/reviews/dog-gone.html). Coping with grief is a major theme, as John has lost his mother in addition to his pet. The Movieguide review explains that his father recognizes John is still grieving the death of his mom. The loss of Gonker compounds John’s grief and makes it painfully clear he is still struggling emotionally. By the end, the reunion with Gonker provides John with hope and emotional relief.
Tearjerker Moments
Some of the most emotional, sad scenes in Dog Gone involve the bond between the family and their dog Gonker. When the family first realizes Gonker is missing, there is a heartwrenching scene where the young son sobs inconsolably, showing how deeply he loves his pet (Looper). The parents are also visibly distraught, with the father frantically searching and the mother overcome with guilt and worry. Later in the film, there is a touching montage of the family’s happy memories with Gonker set to melancholy music as they struggle to adjust to life without him. The saddest scene comes near the end when they finally find Gonker injured in the wilderness. The son cries and hugs his beloved dog, relieved to be reunited after their harrowing separation. The whole family sheds tears of joy, with the normally stoic father finally breaking down as well. These emotional highs and lows showcase the intense bond between humans and their pets.
Character Arcs
The main character arc in Dog Gone centers around Fielding Breen, played by Johnny Berchtold. At the start of the film, Fielding is directionless and lacks purpose, simply drifting through college and unsure of what he wants to do with his life. When his beloved dog Gonker goes missing on a family hiking trip, finding him becomes Fielding’s singular focus that ignites his determination and resourcefulness.
As Fielding searches relentlessly for Gonker on the Appalachian Trail, he experiences meaningful growth and self-discovery. The quest transforms him from an aimless boy into a tenacious young man willing to face any challenge to accomplish his goal. Fielding learns resilience and perseverance as he overcomes obstacles like bad weather, difficult terrain, hunger and exhaustion. His bond with Gonker and desire to bring him home drive him forward. By the film’s end, Fielding has found his purpose and is poised to embrace adulthood with newfound confidence and maturity.
Fielding’s father Rob, played by Rob Lowe, also undergoes change. A busy CEO disconnected from his family, the search for Gonker opens Rob’s eyes to what really matters. As he supports Fielding’s efforts to find the lost dog, Rob reconnects with his son and realizes the importance of being present and involved in Fielding’s life. Rob evolves from an absent father obsessed with work, to appreciating meaningful time with loved ones. In the end, Rob quits his job to be there for Fielding as he starts a new chapter.
Overall, the journeys of both Fielding and Rob follow emotional arcs of growth, purpose and redemption centered around the shared love and resulting search for their lost dog Gonker. Their experiences becoming closer and overcoming challenges transforms them into more complete, family-focused individuals by the story’s resolution.
Critical Reception
Professional critics have praised Dog Gone for its emotional storytelling and tearjerker moments. As noted in a review on Rotten Tomatoes, “It’s a tearjerker with mature intentions.” Roger Ebert’s review applauds the film for earnestly depicting the father-son relationship, stating “In “Dog Gone,” Rob Lowe plays a businessman who joins his son to search the Appalachian Trail for a lost dog.” Overall, reviews indicate that Dog Gone effectively tugs at the heartstrings and delivers on its emotional premise.
Audience Response
Dog Gone has elicited many emotional responses from audiences, with many viewers describing it as an incredibly sad yet cathartic viewing experience. According to a review on IMDB, “Dog Gone is an excellent movie about selflessness, and a coming of age with a relationship between a father and son, all while searching for their beloved dog. Many heartfelt moments that will have you shedding tears” (IMDB Review). The movie’s poignant portrayal of losing a pet has struck a chord with viewers.
On Reddit, audiences have posted about sobbing during the film, with some calling it “three boxes of tissues sad” and the saddest movie they’ve seen (Reddit Thread). The film highlights the deep bonds humans form with their pets, taking viewers on an emotional journey through grief, loss, and ultimately acceptance. As Decider notes, “Some sensitive kids might be upset by the very premise of the movie” (Decider Review), indicating the movie’s tendency to draw out strong feelings of sadness.
While devastating at times, the movie also provides a source of catharsis. The Hollywood Reporter calls it “an effective tearjerker for young viewers” that can help families discuss grief (THR Review). The emotional release and messages of hope have resonated with many audiences, who found the sadness ultimately meaningful and moving.
Themes of Pet Loss
The loss of a beloved pet can be devastating. Dogs become part of the family, and their passing leaves a real void. As expressed by the HelpGuide article Coping with Losing a Pet, grieving the loss of a pet often occurs in stages and involves a range of difficult emotions. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Some common themes and experiences after the loss of a dog include denial, anger, guilt, depression, and eventually, acceptance and moving forward. The Humane Society article How to Cope with the Death of Your Pet recommends acknowledging your grief, reaching out for support, and finding ways to memorialize your pet.
Losing a dog that has been by your side for years can be similar to the loss of a family member. The grief process recognizes the depth of that relationship. While the loss is painful, cherishing the good times and memories with your pet can help the healing. For many, a new furry companion eventually helps fill the void while honoring the love for the previous pet.
Directorial Choices
The movie Dog Gone was directed by Stephen Herek, who is known for films that focus on emotional connections and tug at the heartstrings like Mr. Holland’s Opus and 101 Dalmatians (Stewart). Herek uses several directorial techniques specifically intended to maximize the emotional impact of the film.
One example is the use of close-up shots during emotional moments, like when the boy first realizes his dog is missing or when he finds the dog injured in the woods. The camera lingers on the actors’ faces, showing every tear and look of anguish in detail. This creates an intimate viewing experience that amplifies the empathy audiences feel.
The musical score is also carefully crafted to be melancholy and stirring during poignant scenes, with string instruments swelling at just the right moments to induce tears. According to critics, the “sentimental soundtrack” is an integral part of making audiences cry (Berkoqitz). Herek clearly intended the music to provide an emotional swell during sad plot points.
By relying on techniques like close-ups and musical cues, Herek creates a potent tearjerker viewing experience. His directorial decisions maximize the sentimentality and sadness of the story.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dog Gone is considered a major tearjerker due to its emotional storyline about the unconditional love between a boy and his dog. The film tugs at viewers’ heartstrings as it depicts the anguish of losing a beloved pet. While the movie has comedic moments, its main focus is on exploring grief, coping, and the human-animal bond. Ultimately, Dog Gone leaves audiences sobbing yet also profoundly moved by its themes of loyalty, hope, and healing. The poignant ending validates why this film is regarded as such a sad and cathartic viewing experience.