Introduce the Film Fluke
Fluke is a 1995 American fantasy drama film directed by Carlo Carlei and starring Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz, and Nancy Travis. It is based on the novel of the same name by James Herbert. The film tells the story of a man who dies and is reincarnated as a dog. After retaining his human memories and ability to talk, the dog sets out on a journey to reconnect with his estranged family.
Summary of the Plot
The film follows the story of Thomas Johnson, a successful but unhappy businessman who dies suddenly in a car accident. He is then reincarnated as an adorable puppy named Fluke. While Fluke retains memories of his past life as Thomas, he struggles to make sense of his new existence as a dog. Fluke manages to escape the pound and sets off on a journey to find his former family, including his beloved wife Carol and their young son Brian.
As Fluke navigates the world with his new canine instincts, he comes to appreciate the simple joys in life that he had missed as a busy workaholic human. Fluke eventually finds his way back home, where he is able to reconnect with Carol and Brian. Fluke’s presence helps the grieving family find happiness again, though they remain unaware that their dog is actually Thomas reincarnated. Through various adventures, Fluke learns important lessons about love, family and living life to the fullest. The story underscores the message that one should not take life, relationships or everyday moments for granted.
Fluke’s Journey
After escaping from the pound, Fluke embarks on a perilous journey to find his former family. As a lone puppy unused to life on the streets, Fluke faces numerous challenges and dangers. He has to avoid getting hit by cars, find food and shelter, and escape animal control officers trying to capture him. Fluke relies on his instincts and street smarts to survive, learning to beg for scraps and evade authority figures. He narrowly escapes capture and worse fates on multiple occasions.
Fluke never gives up hope of being reunited with his loved ones. He follows vague memories and scents back towards his former suburban neighborhood. After weeks of struggle, Fluke finally reaches the familiar house he once called home. His perseverance through this arduous passage demonstrates the unbreakable bonds between pets and owners.
Reuniting with His Family
Through a series of adventures, Fluke eventually finds himself adopted by Carol, his former wife from his past life as Tom. While at first Carol is hesitant to adopt the unusual puppy, she soon grows fond of him. Fluke is overjoyed to be reunited with Carol and their son Brian, though of course they do not recognize him.
As a dog, Fluke struggles to communicate with Carol and Brian about his true identity and past life. There are moments when Carol seems to vaguely sense something familiar in Fluke’s eyes. Fluke tries desperately to tell her it’s him, her former husband Tom, but as a dog he cannot speak. His barks and gestures only confuse Carol further. It’s heartbreaking for Fluke to be so close to his family yet feel so far away from them at the same time.
Fluke’s bond with Brian also deepens, as the boy clearly loves and dotes on his new canine friend. Fluke wishes he could make Brian understand how much he loves him as a father. There are bittersweet moments when the family feels almost whole again, yet also divided by the species barrier.
Confirming His Identity
One of the most poignant parts of Fluke is when the reincarnated dog tries to confirm his identity to his former wife, Carol. As a dog, Fluke has memories and mannerisms that remind Carol of her late husband, Thomas. In an effort to trigger Carol’s memories more definitively, Fluke does things like fetching special mementos from their past and leading her to look at old photo albums. There’s a montage where we see Fluke lead Carol step-by-step to revisit memories of their relationship – he nudges a box of keepsakes to fall off a shelf, retrieves a locket with their pictures inside, and pushes a photo album into her lap. Through Fluke’s persistence, Carol starts to accept the incredible possibility that this devoted dog really contains the soul of her beloved husband. These scenes unpack the film’s central mystery in an emotional way, showing how Fluke is trying to communicate “It’s me!” through the limitations of his current canine form. The relationship between Carol and Fluke becomes a metaphor for enduring love that transcends death and the physical body.
Life Lessons
Throughout Fluke’s journey, he comes to accept his new life as a dog and learns to live in the present moment. Though confused initially about his predicament, Fluke embraces his new canine companions and discovers the simple joys of living life as a dog. He learns not to dwell on the past or worry about the future, but instead appreciate the current day and every experience it brings.
The film highlights larger themes of fate, justice, and taking time to appreciate the little things in life. Though Fluke’s untimely death as a human was tragic, his reincarnation as a dog gives him a second chance to reconnect with his family and learn important lessons. Fluke’s story underscores the message to make the most of every day and value your loved ones, no matter what form your life takes.
Production Details
Fluke was directed by Carlo Carlei and featured a talented cast of actors. Matthew Modine starred as Thomas P. Johnson/Fluke, delivering a moving performance as a man reincarnated as a dog. Nancy Travis played Carol Johnson, Thomas’s wife who cares for Fluke after her husband’s death. Eric Stoltz took on the role of Jeff Newman, Thomas’s business partner and close friend.
With Carlei at the helm, the production team brought the magical story of Fluke to life. Filming took place in Utah to capture the natural beauty of the mountain landscape that serves as the backdrop for Fluke’s journey. The film’s special effects teams developed innovative techniques to realistically depict Fluke and the other animals.
The heartwarming story of love and connection in Fluke resonated with audiences. While not a major box office smash, the movie found a cult following on home video and cable TV airings thanks to Modine and Travis’s emotional performances and the bittersweet tale. Fluke endures as a unique entry in the cycle of films about animals with human memories and motivations.
Critical Response
Reviews for Fluke were mixed upon its initial release. While some critics found the film too sentimental and predictable, others appreciated the emotional story and messages about appreciating life’s simple gifts.
Many reviewers felt that the plot was formulaic and designed to tug on viewers’ heartstrings. They criticized the inevitable happy ending as being overly sentimental, calling out the death and rebirth plot device as cliché. Some argued that the anthropomorphic elements stretched believability too far.
However, other critics praised the film for its ability to deliver an uplifting story about cherishing family and not taking life for granted. They found the premise sweet and imaginative, allowing viewers to reflect on what truly matters most. Even if predictable, many found it to be an enjoyable family film that left them feeling touched.
In the end, appreciation for Fluke depended on the viewer’s taste for heartwarming animal stories. While some found it to be emotionally manipulative, others were moved by the sincere messages about living life to the fullest.
Legacy
Even though Fluke did not have a blockbuster performance at the box office, earning just $11.5 million, the film is still fondly remembered decades later for its unique and imaginative premise about reincarnation.
Fluke’s modest box office take likely stemmed from it being released in the summer of 1995 amongst several other big blockbuster films, making it difficult for Fluke to attract a large audience. Despite featuring well-known actors like Matthew Modine and Nancy Travis, Fluke seemed to get lost in the shuffle of the competitive summer movie season.
However, the film found an audience over time on home video and cable repeats. Fluke’s novel storyline about a man reincarnated as a dog made it stand out from typical family films. While reincarnation had been explored before in movies, seeing it from a dog’s perspective gave Fluke a creative twist that resonated with many viewers.
Today Fluke is still remembered fondly as a heartwarming tale of self-discovery, as well as for its innovative look at the bonds between humans and their pets. Its unique perspective on life and death has helped Fluke remain a noteworthy film decades after its release.
Why This Story Resonates
Fluke touches viewers by illustrating the unbreakable bonds of love and family. Despite the fantastical premise, the story captures real human emotions that viewers deeply connect with. Fluke’s journey to reunite with his family, even after being transformed into a dog, shows the enduring power of the human spirit.
The love Fluke has for his wife and son transcends his physical form. Viewers are moved by Fluke’s determination to make his way back home, never losing sight of what matters most. No matter the obstacles in his path, Fluke perseveres, driven by an unbreakable devotion. This inspires viewers to reflect on the importance of family and the sacrifices one makes for loved ones.
Though Fluke’s situation is extraordinary, his motivations are universal. Viewers see themselves in his plight and are reminded of the need to cherish family bonds. Fluke’s undying love and loyalty in the face of confusion and adversity is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. His story illustrates that even in the most difficult circumstances, love and faith can see us through.
