It would be really easy for someone to assume that a movie that personifies a group of animals on a cross-country adventure couldn't possibly be sad. I mean, it's two dogs and a cat, voiced by a trio of delightful actors, and there's probably just going to be a ton of adorable Milo and Otis type stuff going on, right? WRONG. These pets face a deadly onslaught of external forces on the journey back to their humans, and for any kids out there who are big animal lovers, this is as close to hell as you're ever going to get. It's bad enough that Sally (the fancy cat voiced by Sally Field) goes over A FREAKING WATERFALL, but that's not even the worst thing that happens. What does that say about a film, when that's not the worst thing? Because then there's Shadow. The dependable old golden retriever voiced by Don Ameche. The faithful dog that you know isn't long for this world, but you don't even want to think about that because it's just too horrible. Well anyway, Shadow gets stuck in a mud bank, and can't fight his way out because he's so old and tired and Jesus why am I even talking about this I swore I would never think about it again? It's truly horrible. I mean, he gets out eventually, but that doesn't magically erase my emotional scars, you know?
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
