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In the spring the forest is full of new beginnings, unbridled optimism, new chances- the time when new beginnings begin, enthuses the narration at the opening of the film.
Buck Elliot has a new rack of antlers, a rack that makes him as proud as any man can be of a physical attribute (any physical attribute). He is also getting married to Giselle. Minus the rack ... Elliot is as accident prone as he is enthusiastic. Weenie is the dashund who escaped into the wild, but like many before him gave in to temptation.
The temptation changes the expectations of both of them. As Weenie crying 'nein' gobbles, one by one, a dog biscuit trail, unable to resist, Elliot freezes at the forest pastor's words: for ever and ever ... At the end of the dog candy trail Weenie's former mistress catches him.
In the meantime Elliot leaves Giselle at the forest altar, and taking the excuse of friendship and rescue, runs after the fast disappearing Weenie.
The people here drive Mega RVs, communicate by radio and travel through the country on a yearly trip with their pets, who are forced to get re-aquatinted with one another, whether they want to or not.
It's not a great film, nor has it any pretensions in that direction, but it is also not a watered down Disney-like sentimental tale. It's just a nice Sunday afternoon tea and scone repast. Enjoy it for what it is; there are worse things in the world than an animated jab at human hypocrisy and pretensions. - By Linda Winsh-Bolard
