Dog

“A filthy animal unfit for human company and a… Dog” That's Dog's tagline and with it comes comedic expectations. There's a few laughs here (and one cringeworthy moment that belongs to the American Pie school of comedy) but Dog is all about the aspects of war rarely spoken of. The collateral psychological trauma for everyone involved, soldiers on two legs and four.

Jackson Briggs (Channing Tatum in his first leading role since 2017) is sick of cheese, tuna, mayo and mustard, the ingredients he uses everyday as part of his Subway sandwich job. He's an army ranger trying to make ends meet until his next deployment but the chances of him being called back into combat are slim. He's dealing with a brain injury and the mental issues that are part and parcel of combat and his commanding officer doesn't want to take a chance on him. But Jackson ain't taking no for an answer so he's offered a deal - drive Lulu cross country to a funeral and if that goes well, there might be a travel slot open for him. Lulu's a Belgian Malinois military dog Jackson once worked with and she's suffering from PTSD just like he is and now both have to travel from Oregon to Arizona to say goodbye to a soldier both served with.

Channing Tatum is an immensely likable screen presence who can do it all. He looks the part with an AR-15 in his hands, he has great comic timing and he can dance like no-one's watching but can he carry a film by himself? Dog answers that last question in the affirmative. Usually in film's like this (Marley & Me, Turner & Hooch etc) the four legged friend steals the spotlight but here's it's Jackson you'll be watching. The army has left him behind, his psychological issues have taken family and friends from him, Jack Daniels is his night time companion. He's a fella on the edge, one who claims the military is his life but that same military has left him a wreck, used him up and spit him out. He's one step away from unraveling and Tatum sells his pain perfectly. Lulu's the same, harsh discipline has taken it's toll on her little shoulders, she's volatile and aggressive, not used to kindness at all. Both of them have become accustomed to a hard life but on their travels both react positively to the kindness of strangers. Maybe, just maybe they could be kind to each other....

While never exactly being a damning indictment of the unspoken wreckage of combat Dog says enough to let us know where it's politics lie and throughout our heroes journey south we get to know plenty about them, enough to see the damage caused and the damage both are capable of causing; a pot farm misunderstanding that shows us how good Jackson is at his job, a hotel chase that explicitly tells us about the racial biases in Lulu's training and how military life alienates soldiers from civilians in a way that leaves them incapable of integrating into normal life. It all sounds very serious doesn't it but thankfully Dog has a lighter side too. The sight and sound of Tatum tearing into 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight ' will never not be funny, or him trying to coax a smelly Lulu into a much needed bath or his frustration when she ruins what could quite possibly be the best night of his life. All very welcome flashes of light in what is a surprisingly dark story.

Dog is showing in cinemas now. It's a well told tale that's devoid of the usual mawkish tugging of heartstrings you tend to see in films about men and men's best friends. It's worth your while.