This is my Day of the Dead selection.
The family member that we lost this year is our beloved dog Zeke, and so remembering him I watched this movie, which could be called The Power of the Dog (which is another movie entirely and only relevant in name and not substance).
It is a story about what a difference a dog can make, and also on point, the destruction that cancer can wield. We are a nuclear family that has felt the power of both, and in the end it is a feel good movie, against all odds.
The story is told from the perspective of Enzo, a philosophical golden retriever who believes he will be reincarnated as a human and uses racetrack techniques as a metaphor for navigating life's hardships. He finds Denny, who is an actual race car driver, and the two share a special bond, which expands to include Denny's wife and then his daughter. Enzo is about as smart as you would expect a dog to be--meaning good at reading the room and stepping up when necessary. When Denny's wife gets sick and her overbearing--and wealthy--parents take over to squeeze him out, Enzo sticks by him in the best way a dog can.
Yes, this is sugar coated sadness, but sometimes that is what hits the spot and this one did just that for me. Save it for when you are in danger of losing man's best friend and you will see what I mean.
