A Dog’s Purpose Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A dog keeps dying and being reborn, trying to figure out why humans are so obsessed with fetch.

🍿 A Dog’s Purpose: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Bailey’s First Life with Ethan

The movie begins with a dog (voiced by Josh Gad) being reincarnated multiple times. His first significant life is as Bailey, a golden retriever adopted by a young boy named Ethan. Bailey and Ethan form a strong bond, spending their days playing together, especially at Ethan’s grandparents’ farm where they meet a donkey named ‘Horsedog’. Bailey quickly identifies Ethan as his purpose.

Teenage Ethan and a Tragic Accident

As Ethan grows into a teenager (KJ Apa), Bailey remains his loyal companion. Ethan falls in love with Hannah (Britt Robertson). However, their happiness is shattered when a jealous rival sets fire to Ethan’s house. Ethan saves his mother and Bailey, but sustains a leg injury that ruins his football scholarship prospects. Bitter and resentful, Ethan breaks up with Hannah and leaves for agricultural school, leaving Bailey behind.

Reincarnation as Ellie, the Police Dog

Bailey is euthanized, and his spirit is reincarnated as Ellie, a female German Shepherd police dog. Ellie is partnered with a police officer named Carlos (John Ortiz). As a K9 unit, Ellie helps to rescue a kidnapped girl, but is fatally shot in the process. Despite the relatively short time, Ellie felt rewarded in protecting others and serving as a valuable asset to Carlos.

Toby the Corgi and Buddy’s Neglectful Owners

Bailey’s next reincarnation is as Toby, a corgi adopted by a college student named Maya. Toby finds companionship with another dog, Roxie, and helps Maya find love. After Toby dies of old age he’s reborn as Buddy. Buddy is neglected and abused by his owners, is eventually abandoned.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Bailey/Buddy (voice) (Josh Gad): A dog who is reincarnated multiple times, searching for his purpose in life and repeatedly finding himself connected to Ethan.
• Adult Ethan (Dennis Quaid): An older man who rediscovers the joy of companionship and love through his connection with a reincarnated dog, Bailey.
• Teen Ethan (KJ Apa): The high school version of Ethan who bonds with Bailey and experiences first love.
• Ethan – 8 Years Old (Bryce Gheisar): A young boy who forms an unbreakable bond with his dog, Bailey, in the 1960s.
• Adult Hannah (Peggy Lipton): Ethan’s long-lost love who reunites with him later in life, thanks to Bailey’s intervention.
• Carlos (John Ortiz): A police officer who becomes Ellie’s (Bailey reincarnated) handler, developing a strong bond with her as they work together.
• Todd (Logan Miller): A jealous rival of Teen Ethan, who commits arson and negatively impacts Ethan’s life.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Bailey: “Fun. That’s the purpose of a dog.” – Bailey reflects on the joy he brings to Ethan’s life during their time together.
• Bailey: “If I can get you licked, I can get you anything.” – Bailey humorously contemplates his ability to charm people with his affection.
• Bailey: “Be here now. That’s all there is.” – Bailey distills the essence of living in the moment, something dogs naturally excel at.
• Ethan: “Boss dog!” – Ethan’s special term of endearment for Bailey, which becomes a key identifier in their reunion.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $22,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $64,508,620
• Worldwide Gross: $205,035,819

💥 A Dog’s Purpose Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this movie expecting to cry a little, but I ended up sobbing! The way they show the dog’s perspective on life, the way he just wants to love and be loved, it just got to me. The scene where Bailey has to leave Ethan and the fire incident was heart wrenching, but when he finally recognized Ethan again in his old age I lost it! It’s a beautiful story about loyalty and love.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Dog lovers”
  • “Families looking for a heartwarming story”
  • “Those interested in themes of reincarnation and purpose”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Animal death”
  • “Themes of neglect and abuse (though debated)”
  • “Emotional scenes that may be upsetting for sensitive viewers”
  • “Alcoholism”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While undeniably manipulative, ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ succeeds in tugging heartstrings with its charming canine perspective. Josh Gad’s voice work adds warmth, though the episodic structure feels uneven.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Lasse Hallström directs this adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name. The tale of a dog voiced by Josh Gad as he is reincarnated as different breeds belonging to various owners. Over the course of multiple lifetimes, the canine’s existence intersects with that of a young boy who rescued him in 1962.
• Chicago Sun-Times: “A heart-warming movie that does an amazing job at building up raw emotion in a short amount of time. Despite the controversy, the story is amazing, and it made me cry at least five times. Overall I recommend the movie, and I recommend you not believe everything you see online.

Audience Reactions

The ending scene when Bailey finally reunites with Ethan is so heartwarming that many audiences members were reportedly crying.: Dog lovers found the movie emotionally resonant, particularly the depiction of the bond between humans and their canine companions.

The humourous narration of the dog’s thoughts made me laugh out loud throughout the movie, even amidst the sad parts!: The emotional depth and touching portrayal of a dog’s purpose resonated strongly with family audiences.

Overall Consensus: A heartwarming film about a dog’s journey through multiple lives, celebrated for its emotional impact but also criticized for its sentimentality.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Controversy arose before the film’s release due to leaked footage that appeared to show a dog being mistreated on set. This led to the cancellation of the U.S. premiere, though later investigations suggested the footage was misleadingly edited.”
• “Director Lasse Hallström is known for directing other emotionally resonant films, including ‘The Cider House Rules’ and ‘Chocolat’.”
• “The movie is based on the novel of the same name by W. Bruce Cameron, who also co-wrote the screenplay.”

🖥️ How to Watch A Dog’s Purpose?

A Dog’s Purpose is available to rent or buy on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming availability. You may also find it on demand through your cable provider. If you prefer owning a physical copy, the DVD and Blu-ray versions are widely available for purchase online and in stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed A Dog’s Purpose, you might like these similar films:

• Marley & Me (2008): Explores the deep bond between a family and their dog, filled with heartwarming and heartbreaking moments.
• Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009): Another emotionally powerful story about a dog’s unwavering loyalty and love for its owner.
• The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019): Narrated from a dog’s perspective, exploring themes of family, loyalty, and the meaning of life, similar to ‘A Dog’s Purpose’.
• Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993): A classic adventure about the enduring bond between pets and their owners as they embark on an epic journey to reunite.

🛒 A Dog’s Purpose Related Products

• A Dog’s Purpose: A Novel for Humans: The original novel that inspired the movie, a heartwarming and humorous story about a dog’s search for purpose through multiple lives.
• A Dog’s Journey (DVD): The sequel to ‘A Dog’s Purpose,’ continuing the heartwarming story of a dog’s multiple lives and unbreakable bond with his humans.
• Dog Paw Print Keepsake Kit: A kit to create a lasting memory of your furry friend, allowing you to capture their paw print in clay.
• Personalized Dog Collar with Custom Engraving: A high-quality dog collar that can be personalized with your pet’s name and contact information, ensuring their safety and adding a touch of style.

🎧 Soundtrack

A Dog’s Purpose features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Oh Carolina” – performed by Keith Soul Simmons

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

A Dog’s Purpose (2017) – Bailey Comes Home Scene (10/10) | Movieclips

Ever wondered if your pet remembers you from a past life? This scene from ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ shows Bailey trying to convince Ethan that he’s back. It’s pretty heartwarming, even if a little far-fetched!

A Dog’s Purpose (2017) – Bailey Passes On Scene (4/10) | Movieclips

Get ready to grab your tissues! This clip shows the bittersweet moment when Bailey’s first life comes to an end after Ethan goes to college. It’s a tearjerker but shows how deeply dogs can impact our lives.

A Dog’s Purpose (2017) – My Best Life Scene (7/10) | Movieclips

Get ready to grab your tissues! This clip shows a the dog in his new family, and the montage of clips are great, and show how dogs can impact our lives.

✨ Rate