My Dog Tulip
The cinema equivalent of being cosied up next to a warm fire drinking hot chocolate on a cold autumn evening.
Plot summary
The story of a man who rescues a German shepherd and how the two become fast friends.
You could be forgiven for forgetting that animation was all done by hand in the days before the Toy Story/Shrek phenomena digitised everything to Infinity and Far Far Away in 3D.
This charming film based on J.R.Ackerley’s memoir about his dog Tulip is nostalgic, and quaint, with beautiful hand-drawn characterisations that are without the colourful polish we have become used to. All the more delightful as a result, the experience watching My Dog Tulip is very like being read to – the cinema equivalent of being cosied up next to a warm fire drinking hot chocolate on a cold autumn evening.
Fans of the original writing will be unlikely to find anything new here as they hear Christopher Plummer as J.R. Ackerley steadily relating a number of gently amusing anecdotes about the writer’s adventures with his dog. His expertly nuanced delivery evokes an England found in storybooks and on Christmas cards. No doubt this is the reason behind the film’s enormous success in America, where many seem to believe that we still adhere to certain rituals of afternoon tea etc over here.
An enjoyable film, put together with passion, expertise and attention to detail, it was an absolute pleasure to watch, and would be the perfect indulgence on a Sunday afternoon.
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