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Based on the autobiographical book by J.R. Ackerley, My Dog Tulip is an enjoyable animated experience that repeatedly provokes you to laughter even as you're relating to the growing sentimentality between owner and animal. Explaining the dog's adventures while intermittently typing the story, Ackerley (voiced by the superb Christopher Plummer) narrates the entangling of his quietly circumscribed lifestyle with that of an affectionately disruptive canine companion. Having previously pondered purchasing a jug as the perfect life partner, he is fascinated by his own genuine surprise at rescuing the animal from the confined life in which her previous owners were not prepared to raise her.
Upon acquiring his mate, Ackerley is inspired to make new attempts at socializing. After getting irritated at the presumed rivalry Ackerley's sister Nancy (voice of Lynn Redgrave) engenders, Ackerley and Tulip develop a core that nobody can penetrate. Several veterinarians show condescension to the owner and his excitable animal, and shop owners are quick to verbal aggression, thereby strengthening their "us against the world" bond. The pleasant turning point comes when gracious vet Miss Canvenini (voiced by Isabella Rosselini) kindly explains that Tulip is thoroughly in love with her owner and requires validation of their connection. So long as that is in place, they will thrive and she'll behave. As the pair pushes and pulls each others boundaries, they also become sensitive to each others moods and needs, with an engaging British sarcasm that saves the journey from ever becoming too sappy.
From there Ackerley sets out to create what he believes will be a full life for Tulip, who has been activating senses he wasn't previously aware of. They take a trip out of town to a former military colleague. They seek out male dogs of her Alsatian breed for her to mate with, though none of them prove stimulating for her. They spend a summer vacation in the country, where Tulip finally gets mounted, though doesn't seem thrilled to have the deed done. Tulip's involuntary ability to accumulate a crowd while in heat, and her owner's protective responses, are simply hilarious.
There are multiple humorous antics that make My Dog Tulip consistently amusing, both in storytelling and in visual realization. Animator/directors Sandra and Paul Fierlinger are highly creative, changing styles which provide Tulip more character and portray Ackerley's projections of her changing priorities. Fully colorized pictures are juxtaposed with black and white sketching to enhance the new ideas of caretaking that Ackerley is learning as well as to inject humor into the seedier explanations of bodily functions. As much as it's an adult story, it needed to be animated as it would not be particularly entertaining to watch a live dog repeatedly go to the bathroom, or squirt while in heat, nor be the voyeur through the several unsuccessful humping sessions.
Capturing the wonderful synergy that develops between pet and owner, My Dog Tulip is a funny, energetic tale of a self-described loner who learns about affection through his adoption of a seemingly difficult pup.
Upon acquiring his mate, Ackerley is inspired to make new attempts at socializing. After getting irritated at the presumed rivalry Ackerley's sister Nancy (voice of Lynn Redgrave) engenders, Ackerley and Tulip develop a core that nobody can penetrate. Several veterinarians show condescension to the owner and his excitable animal, and shop owners are quick to verbal aggression, thereby strengthening their "us against the world" bond. The pleasant turning point comes when gracious vet Miss Canvenini (voiced by Isabella Rosselini) kindly explains that Tulip is thoroughly in love with her owner and requires validation of their connection. So long as that is in place, they will thrive and she'll behave. As the pair pushes and pulls each others boundaries, they also become sensitive to each others moods and needs, with an engaging British sarcasm that saves the journey from ever becoming too sappy.
From there Ackerley sets out to create what he believes will be a full life for Tulip, who has been activating senses he wasn't previously aware of. They take a trip out of town to a former military colleague. They seek out male dogs of her Alsatian breed for her to mate with, though none of them prove stimulating for her. They spend a summer vacation in the country, where Tulip finally gets mounted, though doesn't seem thrilled to have the deed done. Tulip's involuntary ability to accumulate a crowd while in heat, and her owner's protective responses, are simply hilarious.
There are multiple humorous antics that make My Dog Tulip consistently amusing, both in storytelling and in visual realization. Animator/directors Sandra and Paul Fierlinger are highly creative, changing styles which provide Tulip more character and portray Ackerley's projections of her changing priorities. Fully colorized pictures are juxtaposed with black and white sketching to enhance the new ideas of caretaking that Ackerley is learning as well as to inject humor into the seedier explanations of bodily functions. As much as it's an adult story, it needed to be animated as it would not be particularly entertaining to watch a live dog repeatedly go to the bathroom, or squirt while in heat, nor be the voyeur through the several unsuccessful humping sessions.
Capturing the wonderful synergy that develops between pet and owner, My Dog Tulip is a funny, energetic tale of a self-described loner who learns about affection through his adoption of a seemingly difficult pup.
