My Life As A Dog

One of 1987's best films, this charming, and often heartbreaking, story of a young boy's summer adventures in a provincial town is highlighted by winning performances and a superb directorial hand (Lasse Hallstrom has been nominated for Best Director in this year's Oscar race). When Ingemar's mother continues to decline in health, he and his brother are sent to separate places for the summer. Ingemar goes to live with his uncle, where he is befriended by a young tomboy with an impressive right hook. Together, with the local eccentrics, the pair get a glimpse at some of the concerns of adults: sex, loss, and the need for companionship. Throughout the film, young Ingemar reflects on the spaceshot of Laika the dog. All alone, circling the cosmos, he reasons, Laika must have been very brave. So is Ingemar. A superb film. Highly recommended. (Note: Paramount has chosen to release the film in a dubbed version. The dubbing is actually very good; one wishes that they would have at least given consumers the option).