Tearjerker! Bette Davis Says Goodbye to Her Dogs in 'Dark Victory'

 

'Dark Victory' is a classic Hollywood tearjerker in which Bette Davis plays a rich socialite who learns she is dying of a brain tumor. (SPOILER) She'll know the end is near when she goes blind, the doctor has told her, so when she's gardening and thinks the sun has gone down, she realizes she's only got minutes to live. She sends her best friend away and then summons her two springer spaniel dogs. 

I remembered it that they go up to bed with her and are with her at the end, but she sends them away too after a brief farewell. If you're a softie like me, you're already sobbing at this point, so the fact that her dogs aren't with her makes that moment that much sadder. *sniff* You can watch the scene here, starting at the 5:00 mark.

Beginners: A Man, His Dad and Their Dog

I advise all dog lovers to see 'Beginners,' a lovely new independent film starring Ewan McGregor as Oliver, who's dealing with his elderly father, Hal (Christopher Plummer).

Hal's dog, Arthur, a very expressive Jack Russell, is an integral part of the film: Oliver becomes his caretaker when his father is hospitalized with pneumonia. His father's health declines and Oliver finds himself with Arthur full-time. They both enjoy each other's companionship, but both are grieving. Oliver can't ever leave Arthur alone (pitiful crying ensues each time he tries it), so he ends up taking the dog to a party with him, where he meets Anna (the beautiful Mélanie Laurent of 'Inglourious Basterds'). The two begin a tentative relationship and Arthur is there every step of the way.

Oliver has commitment issues, not least because he learns his parents marriage was a sham: After his mother's death, his father tells him he's gay and is going to start leading an out gay life at age 75! And so he does, becoming a busy gay activist and finding himself a hot boyfriend.

This is a sweet and poignant film, full of very real moments, and the audience I saw it with "Awwed" at many of the scenes involving Arthur. It's also very sad in spots (don't worry, the dog is fine!) and at least one friend of mine found it too slow.

I really enjoyed it its quirky approach and the realness of its characters. And, of course, Arthur! (Whose real name is Cosmo, a 9-year-old who was also in 'Hotel for Dogs' and 'Paul Blart: Mall Cop.' His trainer, incidentally, worked with the late Moose, best known as 'Frasier's Eddie.