Weβve all had to accept unwanted gifts from well-meaning loved ones. ToΒ avoid hurting feelings and seeming ungrateful, we accept. Thatβs exactly what happens to Sarah Francis (Beattie Edmundson) in the feel-good comedy,Β Patrick.
In this case, Sarah canβt just toss the gift into a junk drawer to collect dust. Sarah is given the responsibility of becoming the new owner of herΒ grandmotherβs pampered dog, Patrick after her grandmother passes away. She canβt go against her grandmotherβs wishesβeven though sheβs starting a new job as an EnglishΒ teacher and lives in a no pets flat.Β Β
Though Sarah doesnβt like dogs, sheΒ begrudgingly takes Patrick home. Thatβs when she figures out that her job will not be easy. Patrick isΒ mischievousβgrabbingΒ bolognaΒ out of the fridge and eating it on her bed, rummaging through the garbage, and causing aΒ raucousΒ at the park. And Sarah hates every moment. At the start, they truly seem to be a βmatch made in hell,β as Sarah believes. However, she doesnβt know that Patrick will change her life for the better.Β Β
Fresh out of a relationship, Sarah starts meeting men in the park she would not have visited if not for Patrick. And we see that she has a chance to find love. She also must take Patrick to the vet when she should be teaching. This inconvenience leads to a date with Patrickβs vet. Sarah also must leave her apartment after her landlordΒ receivesΒ a complaint about a loud dog, butΒ itΒ leads toΒ anΒ unlikely new home that she and Patrick both grow to love.Β Β
Weβve seen movies over the years that focus on animals, specifically dogs, and how they changed theirΒ ownerβs life. Thereβs no surprise that Sarah grows fond of Patrick, though he is difficult to care for. The plot is predictable, and it’s easy to feel a sense ofΒ deja-vu. The way in which Sarah stumbles upon love interests throughout the film at times feels unbelievable.
However, we all enjoy movies that bring us joy and makes us laugh. We want the protagonist to succeed. EvenΒ us cat-lovers,Β canβt help but start to love Patrick and the growing bond he develops with Sarah. Sarah is also a dynamic character. We see her blossomΒ into a loved high school teacher and start to prove to herself that sheΒ can be successful I her own way despite her familyβs opinion. Plus, she opens herself up not only to romance but also to an unlikely friendship with a pug.Β Β
ThisΒ light-hearted film willΒ warmΒ every heart and make you cheer for the underdog. You can catch PatrickΒ in select theaters and video on demand on February 15th and during a one-night event in 100 cities on February 19th.