Oh My Dog
RATING
Introduction
We are still one day away from the weekend but the new releases have started pouring in. First up, I finished watching the new Tamil film Oh My Dog on Amazon Prime. Barring animation films, I couldn’t place the last time that I watched and out and out kids film especially an Indian kids film. The thing is that this is such a huge market however all that we always churn out(mostly) are thrillers and films featuring violence which do not really cater to the kids. I feel every now and then the makers should resort to these stories which will entertain kids(and adults likewise) and also teach a lesson or two to them through its narration. Which is why I was really looking forward to Oh My Dog. Another USP was that I was waiting to witness the magic of 3 generations together. As far as I remember, this is the first instance where 3 generations of the same family – Vijaya Kumar, Arun Vijay and Arnav Vijay are sharing screen space together. So there were many factors going in the film’s favour. Does Oh My Dog manage to impress, lets find out.
Story & Screenplay
Oh My Dog follows the story of a heartwarming bond between a little kid and his dog with a few obstacles along the way. The story is simple yet it has its heart in the right place and will put a smile on your face! The screenplay is also presented in a simple manner which worked here primarily because the target audience were kids. If you look at the pattern right throughout the film, there are various conflicts thrown in the narrative, only to be resolved in the very next scene. Usually I would dismiss it easily citing the cliched and convenient writing. But because the intention of the writer is pure and it reflects onscreen, I did not seem to mind it at all. In fact, I was having an absolute ball watching the kids bond with the dog. And coming to the USP, I could feel the bond between the 3 generations. That part was truly infectious.
What worked but only in parts was the dog competition towards the end. That part did feel a little more cliched than it should have otherwise with an antagonist who would stop at nothing to win. And perhaps this has a lot to do with how the character of the antagonist was designed. He appeared at the start and then towards the backend. So the audience did not have enough time to settle in with his character. Had he appeared even momentarily throughout the running minutes, the situation would have been different. But the film is heartwarming on many occassions which will melt your heart like an icecream. And the final act will gently tug the strings of your heart. Overall, a well written, breezy and an entertaining screenplay.
Dialogues, Music & Direction
The dialogues are decently well written and they do their job at the end of the day. The music is good and so is the BGM and they blend well with the drama. The cinematography is good as well along with some pretty good VFX. Director Sarov Shanmugam has really done a heartfelt job, a term which you do not generally associate with a director. He was able to understand the pulse of the kids and weave a heartwarming story around them. And needless to say that the film moves at a brisk pace which has got a lot to do with the director holding the proceedings together.
Performances
The performances are pretty good. Vinay Rai whom I had last seen in the Tamil film Doctor is pretty good as Fernando. I did have issues with the way his character was shaped up but that was no fault of his. And that little character arc at the end was heartening to watch. Mahima Nambiar as Priya looks pretty and is quite sincere and earnest here. It was a pleasure watching 3 generation of performers together. Vijaya Kumar as Arjun’s grandfather starts off on a stern note but will soon put a smile on your face. Arun Vijay as Arjun’s father is a great actor with a magnetic screen presence. Here, he is well restrained and allows his real life son to do the heavy lifting while he is there to silently support. Arnav Vijay in his debut outing as Arjun shows a lot of flair in the acting department and his energy is infectious. Also his bond with the dog Simba(who is brilliant) will act as a long hug which will make your heart melt.
Conclusion
Oh My Dog is an earnest film with its heart in the right place and a film which will put a smile on your face. Available on Amazon Prime.