A Dog Year

Based on the real-life 2003 memoir by best-selling author Jon Katz, A Dog Year tells the story of a 50-something writer (Jeff Bridges) in a mid-existential crisis, who impulsively agrees to adopt a well-bred but high-strung border collie named Devon. At first, the dog wreaks chaos on a suburban household Jon shares with two older, mellower Labs, and Jon's angst-ridden attempts to reign in the new dog meet with little success, despite a realitycheck visit from his college-aged daughter, Emma (Lauren Ambrose). But a move to a rural farmhouse, combined with some behavioral lessons from a real-life dog whisperer (Lois Smith) and her herd of sheep, slowly yields dividends for the dog and, more importantly, for Jon. As he learns to let go of the hostility in his own personality, Jon finds his ability to train and communicate with Devon much easier. Ultimately, the experience transforms both man and dog in meaningful, unexpected ways.