Dean Spanley

2008
7.2| 1h40m| NA| en| More Info
Released: 12 December 2008 Released
Producted By: New Zealand Film Commission
Country: United Kingdom
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Info

Set in Edwardian England where upper lips are always stiff and men from the Colonies are not entirely to be trusted, Fisk Senior has little time or affection for his son, but when the pair visit an eccentric Indian, they start a strange journey that eventually allows the old man to find his heart.

Genre

Drama, Comedy

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Director

Toa Fraser

Production Companies

New Zealand Film Commission

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Dean Spanley Audience Reviews

SparkMore n my opinion it was a great movie with some interesting elements, even though having some plot holes and the ending probably was just too messy and crammed together, but still fun to watch and not your casual movie that is similar to all other ones.
Mandeep Tyson The acting in this movie is really good.
Brenda The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Edwin The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.
classicsoncall Admittedly, this won't be a film for everyone. Though it has a bit of a quirky premise and the dialog is cleverly humorous at times, the pacing is slower than what most viewers would expect from their movie fare. I got the biggest kick out of Peter O'Toole's character, Horatio Fiske. All you had to do was look at him; his facial expression throughout most of the picture was one of priceless quandary, often trying to make some semblance of sense of the efforts of his son and cohorts for the better part of the picture. Yet the payoff comes as Dean Spanley's life as a dog is brought home to reconcile the old man's feelings of loss over his son in the Boer War, followed by that of his grieving wife. If it's true, as the Swami Prash declares, that a dog amplifies Man's estimation of himself, then the story of Wag and his canine companion finally brings some measure of relief to a man whose heart had not yet hardened beyond repair.
trails369 This film is a masterpiece with a great script, patiently building to a crescendo, delivered by skilled charming actors.Once upon a time, more than hundred years ago, before Google, before computers, before television, before movies, before radio, intelligent people still quested for understanding. If you are curious about reincarnation you might go to a public lecture and be aware of other people in the audience. The mysteries of why pain comes into your life, what gives happiness, can a soul survive death is the same in any century, and a quiet persistent pursuit yields result.The other reviewers do an excellent job of telling of Fisk Jr. Trying through weekly visits to thaw his curmudgeon distant father. was the father always abrasive and bitter? Will he always be so? What unlocks the emotions is a shaggy dog story. Somehow the aroma of a rare wine enjoyed by Dean Spanley unlocks the acute sense of smell of a dead spaniel, who lives again to tell his adventure. This is the adventure of the three astonished men and you the audience. It is more emotionally rewarding than all the explosions and chases and violence that are not in this film.
ThatDoesntMatter I thought I might add an unfavourable review.This film just did not convince me story-wise.Maybe because I'm a dog lover?Also, the repressed British male relationship theme was not interesting to me - I'd rather watch The Remains Of The Day for that...Usually I like Sam Neill, but not in this. I found him annoying. Sorry, but that's the way I felt.The best this movie gave me - and that at least is for life (and beyond???:-)) is "Only a closed mind is certain" --> saw that as a signature on IMDb and then checked out the film.Sadly, it did not work for me at all. Boring. Preposterous. 3 stars for the good acting by all, but there it ends.
rooster74 Current movies and all else for viewers, have been thinly crusted. Therefore, when ones path comes across a movie and acting, without special effects and other insufficient scenarios: that is a quality lost in the cinema era: is definitely, worth its weight in gold! Unfortunately, these quality pieces are forgotten and the appreciation is never award to it. Whether, it be to deep and precious all around: people are never ready such films. We have definitely search for such movies and found one this for our collection. As far as the cinema movement has taken itself, just proved that the current judgment on their and modern viewers in North America have lower their standards. Cinema is to an escape, but with over rated violence, porno, and language; no wonder society has come to its current demise. Even as we try to bring entertainment to the viewers, the viewers themselves have accepted such lower than low class entertainment. As for our family, we research everything we can before viewing: We deserve Quality~