bitesizemoviereview dotblogspotdotcom This is quite possibly the worst movie I have ever seen. The best actors are the dogs, the script sounds worse than a yapping terrier and the plot needs to be scooped up and tossed into a plastic baggie. Although it had a promising start, Dog Lover's Symphony quickly took a turn for the worse. The romance between ex-convict and dog trainer is so hackneyed and the "acting" is so devoid of emotion--of anything, really--that this movie is bound to bore humans and dogs alike. Also, this "family" movie does not have any children in it whatsoever. The story revolves around a lackluster, PG-rated romance between two adults, which has a cheesy, melodramatic ending that merely seals this movie's fate. Do not watch.

Amy Adler Jerry (Jesse Bernstein) is a troubled young man who has become involved with gang activity. But, although he is headed in the wrong direction, a caring parole officer, Tom (Maxwell Caulfield) sees some good hiding in his interior. He arranges for Jerry to train dogs with his beautiful daughter, Susan (Alaina Kalanj) as part of his parole requirements. At first, Jerry is most reluctant and his commitment is tenuous. However, due to the extreme kindness of Tom and Susan, he begins to turn his life around. In fact, there may be a mutual attraction between Jerry and Susan, if only she weren't nearly engaged to that stuffed-shirt, go-getter John (Sean Foley). Will Jerry become a model citizen and win Susan's heart, too? This is a nice film with plenty of feel-good moments, except for the inane ending. What is that, you ask? I'm not telling. Caulfield and Bernstein give nice performances, although Bernstein is not my idea of a genuine leading man. But, it is Kalanj that steals the film. She is utterly beautiful and has a zesty, natural acting ability that reminds the viewer of Marisa Tomei. The movie world can only hope to see much more of her. Then, too, although she dresses down to train dogs, her "dress-up" costumes are of the knock-out variety. The rest of the costuming is acceptable and the scenery is pleasant, too. Best of all, the dogs in the film are delightful. If you love animals and/or romantic dramas, try this one on for size. I think you will like it but the end will definitely leave you shaking your head.

wallstpup This one is worth watching for three reasons. 1) Its unseemly idealism 2) Alaina Kalanj, 3) dogs.The movie is unrealistic about the world at large hence it tries to show an ideal world, but as a spoiler warning it does have some hard reality about life in two instances in the film. They both come suddenly and their unpolished nature creates a kind of brutal reality that real life throws at us. I suggest you watch it for yourself and comment here on it. Alaina Kalanj acts without acting. She is a natural. It is uncanny. She was a kindred spirit to the dogs which if she did act that way well then she is very good at it, and if she didn't then she is proof of the film's message. I can see her in certain roles, and I would cast her.The wedding scene at first struck me as nonsense, but later I can see a person going through with it, and to keep an open mind that one may perceive a moment in a way that no one else does is worth considering. Our minds are truly capable of having these magical moments gain reality in life.

Roald Pettersen This could have become a funny and good movie, but it flips totally out repeatedly towards the end until you get angry with the filmmakers for believing that audiences consist of complete morons. It cannot even serve as a wet ladies' weeper. It cannot be called a children's movie because there are no children in the cast. It's probably called a "family movie" because there is no nakedness or language abusive to children, but the plot is certainly abusive to the intellect of grown-ups. The simplified portrait of the drug buddies and their miraculous turn-around is just a start. Or perhaps one cannot expect more from a story told by a dog...