I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

I have absolutely never seen anything like this movie before. You have to see this movie.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Really disappointed in the film as an avid Jon Katz reader and fan. It took how many weeks to build the HBO Memorial Lambing Shed? Where was it? And the film showed none of Bedlam Farm. Perhaps that hilltop where the Blair woman showed Katz what a real sheep dog can do was actually the steep hill on his NY property although the bulk of it was filmed several miles west of his home. The actual view of the village is stupendous, missed that. Where were the donkeys? Sorry, Jeff Bridges fans, but I did not get any of Mr. Katz's true angst from him. He was his usual, my-way-or-the-highway character, which I have grown very tired of over the past few decades. And I've been there for his entire career. I once had a pre-teen crush on the guy when he appeared in Sea Hunt with his dad, but ended up loving his brother way more. The last film I liked Jeff in was "Blown Away". John Goodman would have brought more of Jon Katz to the Jon Katz in this movie. I kept waiting the movie to really start and suddenly it was over. As dog movies go, the one about the Pig was better.

Jeff bridges : is truly a legend. its a sweet movie about a writer and his dog. enjoyed the movie thoroughly. The movie was simple and straight. Heart warming and happy ending. Must watch for every dog owner. Or any animal owner or animal lover for that matter.This movie is quite informative for inexperienced dog owners. Gives you a gist of how to care for an animal that has been through some trauma or is getting used to a new home. a must watch for every animal lover !

This "coulda-shoulda-woulda" been a good movie, but for 2 things: 1. Bridges sleepwalks through the whole thing. True, writer's block is a distressing scenario, particularly for a writer but I didn't get distress from Bridges, I got ennui. He mailed it in. 2. They took a brilliant story idea complete with potentially fascinating characters and intriguing plot twists, then ground it into the dirt. This "coulda-shoulda-woulda" been a good movie, but for 2 things: 1. Bridges sleepwalks through the whole thing. True, writer's block is a distressing scenario, particularly for a writer but I didn't get distress from Bridges, I got ennui. He mailed it in. 2. They took a brilliant story idea complete with potentially fascinating characters and intriguing plot twists, then ground it into the dirt. P.S. This 10 line rule is idiotic.

Sometimes people get wrong ideas when getting a pet, especially a dog. We forget that, like other animals, certain breeds were meant to be helpers in the farm, rather than become house pets. Jon Katz, a man with knowledge of dogs, is asked to try to help with a border collie, Devon, that was abused. Mr. Katz had two older Labrador retrievers at home, the addition of a new dog proves to be a bigger challenge Jon had expected.The frustrating acquainting process shows a dog that was abused. Jon had to do wonders to keep his sanity. Devon was destructive, almost unmanageable, because the dog had no discipline. Jon Katz's own life was going through a rough time. His wife having decided to live away from him, sent this man into a rotten state of mind. Even his own daughter, Emma, notices the state of her father's despair. What's more, as a writer, he is clearly blocked. One of his Labs gets sick and must be put to sleep, that is the last thing he ever wanted.When Jon decides to go to the country in order to get away from the usual distractions at home, he decides to bring Devon with him. Trying to stay by himself, he becomes the little town's attraction. The plain folks in the area prove to be wiser than he gave them credit for. He is told to see Lois Blair, a no nonsense woman, the owner of a border collie herself. Lois, a woman of a few words realize what the problem is with Devon, but better yet, her advice to Jon is right on target. The dog has no problems; Devon was born to work the fields shepherding, whereas Jon's problem is greater, he must deal with his own situation as soon as possible.Not having a clue as to what the film was about, we took a chance, and frankly, it was a surprise. Written and directed by George LeVoo, this is a film highly recommended for all dog lovers. It is a story that rings true from beginning to end. Jon Katz's messed up life was not exactly at a good point. Having to deal with an unruly abused dog, was certainly a big challenge for anyone, let alone a man that was facing a big marital crisis.The film is even better by the presence of an actor of the stature of Jeff Bridges. No matter where Mr. Bridges decides to appear in, he always gives a good and honest performance. Mr. Bridges' work will endear him to audiences where the film is shown. Lois Smith plays Lois Blair, and Lauren Ambrose appears as Emma."A Dog Year" is a film that tries to stay focus by not going for the cuteness its theme might have become in big studios hands.