TV-PG | 1h 35min | Drama, Family | 13 January 2023 (USA)
Of all dramatic sub-genres, family friendly “shaggy dog” movies are among the most cherished. They’re also the easiest to make and the hardest to mess up; all one needs to do is follow the tried-and-true formula established in 1943 with “Lassie Come Home.”
The new Netflix movie “Dog Gone” does indeed stick with the “Lassie” formula: Boy bonds with dog, boy loses dog, boy and dog are reunited, and all is right with the world. Yet, alas, the end result is severely wanting.
(L–R) Fielding (Johnny Berchtold), Ginny (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) and John (Rob Lowe), in “Dog Gone.” (Bob Mahoney/Netflix)
Having upended the century-old studio method of producing and marketing feature films, Netflix is now setting its sights on the made-for-TV market in general, and specifically, the Hallmark Channel. Netflix even went as far as to request this movie be given a TV-based rating (TV-PG)….