The recent Monarch Home Entertainment DVD release of the 2015 comedy "A Dogwalker's Christmas Tale" is a bonus companion to the Monarch release of (the Unreal TV reviewed) "The Spirit of Christmas (nee Lifetime movie "Hollygrove.") Despite an inability to verify this. "Dogwalker's" almost certainly is a former Hallmark Channel movie. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
The following YouTube clip of the trailer for "Dogwalker's" provides a good sense of the themes and nature of the film.
The successful variation on the formula of these movies this time is that college senior/spoiled Daddy's sorority girl/recently broken up girlfriend Luce finds herself without use of her credit cards the week before Christmas. Charmingly goofy and very warm-hearted veterinarian student/dogwalker Dean finds himself battling to save a dog park that means a great deal to him, his little furry friend, and the other dogs and their human companions who congregate there.
"Dogwalker's" further stays true to the spirit of these films in circumstances finding Luce working as the titular canine companion and meeting Dean and the gang during her first day on the job. Of course, they have a bad first meeting and immediately dislike each other. However, this Who ultimately brings that Grinch over to his way of thinking, and they live happily ever after.
The typical bumps along the way to true love include Luce working for the developer who plans to bulldoze the park for a luxury spa, Luce loving the idea of the spa, and the spa being a potential career opportunity for her. Of course, Dean falls for this material girl before discovering those ugly truths.
"Dogwalker's" distinguishes itself by actual surprises at the end. Stating that pooches and their peeps still have a place to romp is not much of a spoiler. The way that it comes about and the reveal regarding who's the boss are unexpected.
On a more general note, the film shares a good perspective on the value of dog parks. Rather than simple being a place for dogs to run and release their inner wolf, they are therapeutic for the people who bring them there.
As indicated above, "Dogwalker's" and "Spirit" make for a good double feature after playing the home version of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" during a holiday meal. The G-rated nature of the films makes it apt for the little ones, and the combination of good storytelling and entertaining hokiness appeal to those of who grew up on the CBS Hallmark films. Nothing makes millennials happy.
Anyone with any questions or comments regarding "Dogwalker's" or "Spirit" is encouraged either to email me or to connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.
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