Beethoven, a classic dog movie, DVD giveaway

Beethoven was the product of writer/director John Hughes, whose works include some of the most successful movies of the 80’s and ’90’s: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, 101 Dalmatians, The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Uncle Buck and the three Home Alone movies among many others.

Unfortunately what followed Beethoven through the years were a lot of bad imitations.

The original Beethoven, released in 1992, still holds up today as a delightful family comedy. It was well written, intelligently directed, with a talented cast.

The plot is simple. When people are watching cute dogs do funny things they don’t want a convoluted plot. The plot is basically dog chooses family, bad guys steal dog, family gets dog back. Many dog movies since that time have stolen the plot with various degrees of success.

Charles Grodin plays the father as an anal retentive type who still manages to be a very sympathetic character, wanting only the best for his family. He resists adopting Beethoven, a St. Bernard puppy who wanders into their home. “We’re not dog people, we’re goldfish people.”

Being outnumbered he gives in to the insistence of his family. After some laugh out loud large-dog-run-amok scenes, the prissy Grodin is convinced that Beethoven is ruining his life. And he is a little jealous of all the attention the dog is getting.

The mother is played by Bonnie Hunt who is always wonderful even when she has terrible scripts.

The children are more like real kids with real kid problems rather than the Hollywood smartass kids who are often in movies.

Dean Jones is chilling as the evil veterinarian. He’s a very different Dean Jones from his early Disney films. It’s clear why he won feature roles on stage and screen for so many years.

Even though his evil henchmen provide the comic relief, both are serious actors. Oliver Platt trained in Shakespearean theatre and Stanley Tucci has since received an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor.

Two yuppie types who are trying to swindle Grodin are played by talented young actors who were known mostly to their friends and families at the time. But today anyone who has even walked by a TV set in the intervening years recognizes both him and her. Do you know who they are?

Anyone?

Ok I’ll tell you in comments.

But mostly it is Beethoven who makes this movie memorable. Unlike many dog movies, Beethoven is never a victim. From the time he leads the other puppies to freedom and chooses a family to captivate, he is always in charge.

When he is confined to a backyard kennel, he makes sure he has an escape route so that he can help his children when they need him. Humans can be misled by bad intentions of other humans, but Beethoven sees through them.

Even when Grodin is tricked into giving up Beethoven to keep his family safe, it is clear that the dog has won over the human when he says goodbye. “You were my dog too.”

If you don’t like the idea that dogs and small children can be more intuitive than adults, you probably shouldn’t watch the movie.

Beethoven’s 2nd was made the following year with the same family cast, but everything that was good about Beethoven was mediocre at best about the sequel.

I’ve lost track of the number of Beethoven movies that have been inflicted on the world since then. There is more to making a good movie than just having a big dog do funny stuff.

I have a DVD of Beethoven to give away.

In comments just post the name of your favorite movie to be eligible for a random drawing. Must leave email address. One entry per email address. Last day to enter October 31.

Seriously—anyone who names Old Yeller will be disqualified. Most of you know why.

Comments

[Jan]

Patricia Heaton and David Duchovny played the yuppie would-be swindlers

[Khyra]

Some of the Beethoven Drooling extras khame from Locust Run Kennels East of me -

As fur favourite movie:

Khyra and The Khats

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra and The Golden Khousins

[Dennis the Vizsla]

I didn't remember Patricia Heaton being in this, but I remembered Agent Mulder. I mean, David Duchovny.

[According to Gus]

We loved Eight Below! The dogs were so brave in that movie!

[Lindsay]

Beethoven was one of my favorite movies as I was at that perfect age when it came out. I would love to win the DVD. Not sure if I still have the VHS version or not!

My favorite dog movie is The Incredible Journey. I like it better than the remake, Homeward Bound, which was also cute.

[cube]

I'm so behind in the dvd watching department that chances are I wouldn't watch it for years. Give it to another worthy soul. Old Yeller. ;-P

[jackie]

my dog skip...

[Cheryl W.]

One of my favorite movies has to be Scooby Doo. He may be CGI, but ole Scoob is real in our hearts. We watch Scooby Doo 1 and 2 all the time, at least once or twice a month. We just love it!

[the 4Bs]

the usual suspects

(i don't think there's a dog in that movie)

[Tracey]

Oh I love Beethoven ... he's so big.

My favourite movie is Moonstruck! :)

[dog training]

Really nice. Beethove, it's a very loved dog and movies character.!

[Michele P.]

we like Marley and Me, my 8 yr old liked Hotel for Dogs too... older stuff we enjoy, Lassie of course, and Scooby Doo as well!

[stop puppies barking]

This movie is classic. I used to love watching it when i was a kid.