What happens when a girl is followed by a dog looking for a home? In Danny LeGare’s Not My Dog, we soon find out whether Nudge’s final destination is a bed by the fireplace or the cold cage of an animal shelter.
Twelve-year-old Bridget (Rylie Pennington) longs for the simple life. On this wintry day, she assumes she’ll spend the afternoon on the couch, staring at her phone. Frustrated with her sedentary daughter, mother Lisa (Ashley Ottesen) tells Bridget to bring her father, Frank (Mark Famiglietti), his lunch at the barbershop he owns. Oh yeah, and she has to make it too. Lisa tells Bridget she’s concerned Bridget isn’t doing anything productive and that the lunch delivery could be an adventure.
Well, adventure it is. While walking by an abandoned building, Bridget spots a dog that has been chased off by Phil (Sal Rendino), the dog catcher. The dog takes a liking to Bridget and won’t leave her side for the rest of the day. She names him Nudge because he won’t stop nudging her. Nudge keeps finding ways to draw attention wherever they go. They run into Mrs. Athelia (Marika Dominczyk), who hates dogs and warns Bridget that Nudge needs to be on a leash. Bridget responds, “He’s not my dog.”
Bridget (Rylie Pennington) relaxes on the couch before her errand in Not My Dog.
“While walking by an abandoned building, Bridget spots a dog that has been chased off by Phil (Sal Rendino), the dog catcher.”
Later at the park, Bridget and Nudge run into Jessie (Analise Scarpaci), who is busking and tries to get Bridget to sing. When she comments on how nice Nudge is, Bridget responds, “He’s not my dog.” In fact, she tells everyone she meets that Nudge is not her dog: the old men, Chuck (Eric Roberts) and Carl (Jeremy London), playing chess; the bully Sammy (Robert Ri’chard); the drugstore owner, Mr. Tucker (Dan Lauria); and even her father at the barbershop. “He is not my dog,” insists Bridget.
Parents will love Danny LeGare’s family film, Not My Dog. Why? Because it teaches kids to get off their phones and touch grass. Simply put, life outside the comforts of home is an adventure as Bridget learns to play chess, sing in public, and make friends, including the cute German Shepherd Nudge.
Young Rylie Pennington is incredibly likable and charismatic as Bridget. She understands Bridget inside and out and nails her arc by the end. Along with writer Sal Rendino, director Danny LeGare loads Not My Dog with cameos to keep adults happy. It’s great to see Eric Roberts play a nice gentleman who may not be as good at chess as he thinks he is. Now add the familiar Dan Lauria and Jeremy London to round out the well-known celebs. Then there’s Nudge. How can you not love a cute, misunderstood dog? Sure, he’s not in any real danger, and (no spoilers) maybe he finds a loving home in the end… just sayin’.
Not My Dog is about as safe as a family film can get, and it comes with a strong contemporary message that kids hypnotized by their devices need to hear. When all Hollywood wants to do is throw dark subject matter at kids, LeGare’s tale is a breath of fresh air. Watch Not My Dog, then step outside with your kids and start a brand-new adventure.
For more information, visit the Not My Dog official Instagram page.
"…'He is not my dog,' insists Bridget."
