A Dog’s Perfect Christmas – Netflix – 1 hour and 39 minutes
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Winstead remembers the day Juliana presented him to Sander and Barbara Gross as a gift. Although he was a puppy, he understood that Christmas was a wonderful time when everyone was happy. He met Sander and Barbara’s son, Hunter. Hunter is married to Juliana, and they have a daughter named Ello. Winstead loves the way she smells. Over the Christmases, Hunter and Juliana added twin boys, Ewan and Garrett, to the family. Each Christmas held magic and joy until Barbara died. Sander moved in with Hunter and his family, and Winstead knows the family has changed. Sander is depressed, Ello is a sullen teen, and the twins like to run amok. Juliana left work to become a full-time mom, and now she’s feeling the pressure. Winstead wishes the family would return to their happy Christmas selves.
Hunter meets with his new boss, Nina. She dislikes his new office design. She believes $3 million is excessive for new office furniture. However, she wants Hunter to prove himself. When Hunter discovers that her son, Sean, will attend the same school as Ello, he volunteers Ello to take Sean around the school. Nina approves his vision. She will promote him to Global Facilities Manager if the redesign goes well. Hunter meets with Juliana to tell her the good news. However, it intensifies her stress. She doesn’t want Hunter to accept the promotion because the job will require him to go overseas. She can’t keep up with the house, the kids, and her father-in-law. Juliana wants Hunter to put in more effort at home.
Juliana picks up Ello from school after she feigns illness. By the time they get home, it’s Juliana who’s regurgitating in the bathroom. Hunter takes Juliana to the hospital. The doctor diagnoses her with a kidney infection. She must stay in the hospital so they can watch her progress. Hunter updates Ello. Ello questions who will handle Thanksgiving. Hunter tells her to do it. Winstead feels Ello’s tension rise as Sander demands breakfast. Ello snaps because her grandfather has been rude and inconsiderate since he moved into their home. They make peace, and he offers to help. Winstead will do the same. He knows exactly what this family needs to get into the Christmas spirit: a puppy. Can the Gross family come together after the doctors put Juliana into a medically induced coma?
Based on A Dog’s Perfect Christmas by W. Bruce Cameron, the dog tells this family’s story through its eyes (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). This perspective adds comedic relief through the sadness. And camera angles from the dog’s perspective are fun. Everyone is still grieving Barbara’s loss in different ways. With Juliana in the hospital, they must be honest about their feelings and work together. This film attempts to be a tear-jerker, but you don’t know the characters long enough to care. And the plot depends on understanding the struggles of a stay-at-home mom and a working dad. The film expresses those frustrations but walks a gender-war tightrope. This film isn’t a Hallmark movie because it doesn’t lean on the holiday tropes. This movie has meet-cutes, misunderstandings, and angels. However, it focuses on the dog. The plot succeeds because of the great chemistry amongst 3 generations. The growth in Ello and Sander’s relationship is beautiful. And Hunter’s character arc is redeeming. This film is wonderful for the family, especially dog lovers.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
It was love at first sniff – Winstead
Not a word of this to anyone – Juliana
I hate this family – Ello
Either stop or finish the job – Sander
I don’t care – Nina
Keep your voice down – Hunter
Every time I see you, you’re surrounded by cute – Claire
Sorry, Mom saddled you with the dorky new kid – Sean
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Categories: A Dog's Perfect Christmas, Dennis Quaid, Mary Steenburgen, Milo Ventimiglia, movie, Netflix, review, Thomas Haden Church, VOD
