“Hotel for Dogs” is a movie for dog lovers of all ages and if you prefer your dogs to live at movie’s end (as opposed to “Marley & Me”), you’ll see this one. However, there are serious issues that underpin the movie: children and animals are easily disenfranchised without much thought. Nonetheless, the dogs are so cute and the relationship between the two main characters so strong that the darker aspects of the movie are easily overlooked. Andi (Emma Roberts) and Bruce (Jake T. Austin) are sister and brother who, since the death of their parents, have been placed in a series of foster homes. Their latest ‘parents,’ wannabe rockers Lois (Lisa Kudrow) and Carl (Kevin Dillon), barely have time for them and don’t know that Andi and Bruce are hiding their childhood dog, Friday, in their bedroom. After rescuing Friday from animal control, they find themselves in an abandoned hotel that they, along with a few friends, transform into a Hotel for Dogs, a haven for abandoned and abused animals.
At one point in the movie, a friend tells Andi, ‘Everyone wants puppies.’ Director Thor Freudenthal parallels this statement with Andi and Bruce’s caseworker, Bernie’s (Don Cheadle) statement, ‘A foster family usually doesn’t want two older kids.’ Although there are plenty of comical moments with the dogs and the clever contraptions Bruce builds to keep them happy at the hotel, this is definitely a message movie. The performances by Emma Roberts and Jake T. Austin are engaging and Don Cheadle is effective as the one adult who cares for two children lost in the foster care system. In addition, for every ticket sold, Pedigree, a sponsor of “Hotel for Dogs,” will make a donation to help shelter dogs. For more information on Pedigree donations visit Pedigree Help Dogs. Not only can you see an enjoyable movie, but you’ll also be helping an animal at your local shelter. “Hotel for Dogs” gets several paws way up! 1/17/09
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