"Red Dog" is an Australian film based on a book of outback folklore about Red Dog, a dog that wandered mining towns and influenced the lives of people who came across him.
It's not quite Lassie Goes To Australia, but its a fairly older child / family friendly film that relies on tugging on heart strings and comedic dog reaction shots. As a film it is pretty lightweight, which has probably helped its popularity locally.
It's also bittersweet as a film, given that it starts with Red Dog having eaten poison and people recounting their stories about him while hoping he recovers. The stories are about the bonds of loyalty and how people relate to themselves and this dog. And dog fart jokes.
I wouldn't take any soft-hearted children to see this film, but it could be a light date film or one that older kids could enjoy.
The cynic in me also notes that while the males in this film are all dirty and sweaty and appropriately plain-looking (apart from the lead) the women are all pretty, immaculately dressed and dust-free.
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