This is a charming, gentle film that adapts a story originally from Japan and has the potential to inspire many kids to repeatedly request puppies from their parents. I’m not particularly fond of dogs; I’ve never owned one, which means I haven’t developed a strong appreciation for them, despite acknowledging they can be wonderful companions and make a difference in various situations—like assisting police or guiding those with visual impairments. However, I often find dogs to be troublesome when their owners are irresponsible or fail to properly train them: they howl when left alone, bark at other animals, rush to sniff and lick people without the owner’s consideration of whether contact is welcome, and sometimes defecate wherever they please without cleanup. Dog ownership education in Portugal is largely absent. Of course, the blame rests with the owners, but it has contributed to my lack of affection for these animals; those who cause problems should bear the consequences. Even someone not naturally drawn to dogs will recognize the value and emotional impact of this film, which is loosely based on a true story from Japan before World War II and that had already been adapted into at least one Japanese movie in 1987. This adaptation takes that Japanese narrative and sets it in the United States, presenting it as if it occurred there while retaining subtle cultural elements—the dog’s breed, name, even martial arts references. I don't usually object to remakes, and I agree that Hachiko's true story deserved a film; however, similar stories demonstrating remarkable animal loyalty exist worldwide. So, perhaps it would have been better if the script had created an entirely new, fictional story inspired by Hachiko and others. Despite these thoughts, I must commend Richard Gere for another exceptionally well-executed and accessible performance, where he manages to capture our attention with a likable character that appeals to our emotions. However, aside from the three dogs who played the lead role, there’s not much else to say about the cast! The other actors simply deliver their lines without adding anything particularly positive or receiving substantial material for their characters—this includes Joan Allen, who seemed to appear in the film unexpectedly. From a technical standpoint, there are several positives worth noting, such as the pleasing cinematography, well-chosen filming locations, and clever use of sets and some visual and sound effects. It’s not an extravagant movie, but it does everything possible to evoke emotion and might even feel overly sentimental, particularly towards the end. I personally found it bearable, though not everyone will share that opinion. The selection of dogs for this film was excellent; they are undeniably cute and adorable. And let's not forget that wonderful soundtrack featuring gentle piano melodies—all contributing to the film’s overall sweetness and suitability for family viewing. A word of caution for parents: if you don't want your children persistently asking to adopt a puppy, avoid letting them see this movie.

Source on TMDB