It’s no shock to know that when animals are in a film they steal the show. From being a man’s, woman’s’ and family’s best friend, we can really count on these furry companions to cheer us up and to be by our side when we need them. To celebrate the release of The Art of Racing in the Rain (in cinemas 9th August), we’re looking at the best pets on screen.
Marley and Me (2008)
Newspaper writers John and Jennifer (Owen Wilson & Jennifer Anniston) relocate from Michigan to Florida shortly after getting married. As Jennifer seriously considers motherhood, John is encouraged by a co-worker to get a dog to stall her biological clock. The couple both agree and choose a dog together and call him Marley. Being a small dog with lots of energy Marley is put in a disobedience school however Marley cannot be tamed and gets kicked out. As Marley gets older his energy doesn’t change testing everyone’s patience. John and Jennifer start to have kids making Marley protective but still uncontrollable.
Lassie (1994)
A mining family, the Carraclough’s and their beloved dog Lassie live in Yorkshire however, when the mine is decommissioned, the father Sam is forced to sell Lassie to The Duke. The Duke’s servant scares Lassie making her run away constantly causing the Carraclough’s to return Lassie back to The Duke. For the holiday’s The Duke goes to Scotland taking Lassie with him. Lassie escapes embarking on a desperate journey back home to her family.
Street Cat Named Bob (2016)
James Bowen, a busker and recovering drug addict from London is losing hope in life and humanity. His support worker Val tries to get him back up on his feet by getting him a council flat. In his first night at the flat he hears something in the living room, he discovers the intruder, a ginger haired cat. Trying to return the cat to its rightful owner, the cat somehow always appears back at James’ flat. James needing company lets the cat stay and the two form and unbreakable bond.
The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019)
Milo Ventimiglia stars as Denny, a racecar driver who is devoted to his witty, wise almost human dog, Enzo. More than a pet, Enzo (voiced by Kevin Costner) is Denny’s best friend. Denny meets Eve, a teacher played by Amanda Seyfried; they fall in love, marry and have a baby. With support from Eve and Enzo, Denny learns how to navigate family life, even in times of crisis, using the lessons he’s learned on the racetrack. Moving, exciting and at times very funny, the film is told from Enzo’s perspective, with the dog’s unique insights into the complexities of family life and the human condition.
Captain Marvel (2019)
Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), cat companion Goose seemed like an ordinary cat, minding its own business and not getting into trouble. Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) takes a liking to Goose and seems to have a soft spot for the feline. However, when coming into counter with Skrull and the Kree scanner they both notice something isn’t too right with Goose and that the cat is much scarier than it seems. During a struggle to find a hiding spot for the Teseract Goose shoots out Octopus tentacles out of its mouth swallowing the Teseract. It is discovered that goose is not an ordinary feline but a Flerkin an alien species, that can swallow/eat anything.
