Sun Dogs
Sun Dogs is an independent film, directed by Jennifer Morrison that was bought by Netflix this year and just came out today. It centers on the attempts of Ned Chipley (Michael Angarano) a mentally challenged man, to become a marine. He wants to save lives, but inevitably is rejected because of his condition. He and new friend Tally (Melissa Benoist) form a counterterrorism unit on the home front. I’d argue the plot is the least important part. It’s about the characters’ journeys, their past trauma or experience, and their emotional arcs. There’s a lot of emotional depth to the film, which mostly stems from the wonderful characters, who can resonate with almost any audience member. This film looks gorgeous and is shot with a sun-tinted lense, adding a nice golden touch to the heartwarming story. Maybe it feels indie, but for me, that’s a good thing. It is beautifully acted throughout, with a stellar cast. Sun Dogs is a heartfelt story, told by a qualified cast and crew, that focuses on the idea of purpose in ones life. There are numerous lessons we all can learn from this film, which is an outstanding directorial debut from Jennifer Morrison. I look forward to her next film, and I wish there were more films out there like this one.
{★★★☆}