The Year of the Dog

I loved The Year of the Dog! Beautifully shot in Montana in winter, the snowy mountains make a magnificent background for the story of Matt (played by Rob Grabow), an alcoholic whose recovery journey leads him to a chance encounter with stray husky. Matt convinced that he needs the husky for his goal to stay sober for 30-days (his mother's dying wish), adopts the dog and names him Yup'ik. The man-dog bond is delightful to watch. And yes, the husky (played by rescue, Caleb) is a scene-stealer. Grabow who also wrote, produced, and co-directed the film, cast an an accomplished group of film and television actors, including two prominent Indigenous actors: Jon Proudstar (veteran of over 50 films and TV series, including Hulu's Reservation Dogs) and Lakota actor Michael Spears (Dances with Wolves, Reservation Dogs, and 1923), an incredible group of military veterans in both cast and crew roles, as well as a glorious array of dogs. Sit back and enjoy The Year of the Dog -- but be sure to have a box of tissues nearby.

This film displays the amazing determination of a lonely man wanting so desperately to find himself outside of a bottle. It truly shows how the daily struggle to survive is so real. Finding any purpose when one feels so alone and lost is a tragedy that the majority of humanity faces. Highly recommend if you, yourself, are searching for a reason to carry on. This file is an incredible story of resistance and the courage to take, "One Day At A Time"!

Finally, as a local to where this film was shot, the writer / director / producer captured the beauty of the state of Montana and the town.

Am so excited to share this film around the world!!

There's a lot to love about this movie - maybe my favorite thing is that it explores male vulnerability with other men, which is something we rarely see in the movies. I believe that's something we all benefit from witnessing. And this movie has several scenes where you so deeply feel for the pain the lead character Matt, beautifully played by Rob Grabow, is going through. And you just want him to make it through!

I also love the doggies! They are so cute and it's a lot of fun to watch Matt bond with his new Husky friend. The Husky is actually a real life rescue and this film started his entertainment career which is a cool behind the scenes detail.

The most beautiful part of the movie though is that it is about connection. The importance of our connection with the ones we love when we're struggling and suffering. It's a very meaningful look at the struggle of living with addiction and working to get sober and will resonate so strongly with anyone who has struggled with or knows someone who has struggled with addiction. Go see it!!!!

I loved watching The Year of the Dog and going through all the extreme emotions with the main characters in this great story.

The film is about developing trust and love after deep losses, classic man versus himself conflict. And a great rescue dog. It was so realistic I did not want it to end.

Wonderful sensitive performances from the lead actor (and writer) Rob Grabow, and amazing actors Michael Spears and Jon Proudstar who are Native American. You will find history and strength and wisdom in their words.

I learned a lot about sled dogs and dog psychology that I did not know before, even though I grew up with a best friend dog - a German Shepherd mix not unlike the dog in the movie - and am a lifelong dog lover. The movie star dog is a stray Husky underdog (and was a rescued abandoned dog in real life too), like the fictional main human character says of himself in the trailer. He is a man estranged from his own family and recovering from alcohol addiction.

Watching the relationship grow between the headstrong dog and the equally obstinate man, who starts out clueless about dogs, was a delight. A few moments of the film are burned in my memory, one when the Husky and recovering alcohol nap together is so peaceful.

Montana is beautiful in the movie. I had never been there or seen dog sledding before, but it is really remote. Watching the movie in theaters at the Village East in New York City, I was transported to a wilder cleaner place. The music in the movie is original and lovely. I hope this comes out on streaming sites so I can watch it again.

At some scenes I laughed, but I also cried. As a reviewer here said, bring tissues. Recovery from alcoholism is a tough road to watch. I had alcoholics in the extended family and I wish they had had friends and a dog like this to bring them love and hope.

I highly recommend The Year of the Dog to viewers!

Matt (Rob Grabow) is an alcoholic struggling to get clean. His mother sent him a letter with her dying wish to see him sober. His native American friend Fred (Michael Spears) offers him a 30 day stay at an isolated ranch. He encounters a stray husky.

This is a small time indie. The start has some promise. I like the little discussion between Fred and Matt about the Braves. It's a solid non-direct way to reveal the characters and it's a little funny. It's probably the last interesting scene. While I love a good doggal, that's not enough for a full length movie. Grabow is doing three jobs in this. He's a fine actor. Maybe he's a good writer, but his directing is rather lackluster.