Patrick

Patrick is a heartwarming family comedy film from 2018 that instantly tugs at the strings of your heart, leaving you cheering for the characters involved. Directed by Mandie Fletcher, it stars an engaging and effervescent cast including Beattie Edmondson, Sam Fletcher, and Rupert Holliday-Evans.

The movie centers on Sarah Francis (played by Beattie Edmondson), a young English teacher navigating the vicissitudes of her life—an impending career, a breakup, and to top it all off, an inheritance from her grandmother. Not the conventional fortune or real estate one might expect, but a stubborn, spoilt Pug named Patrick.

The first thing to note about this film is that it's not your conventional comedy. It lacks the superficial glitz and glamour often seen in cookie-cutter romcoms or over-the-top comedy flicks. Instead, what Patrick offers is a deeply touching narrative interlaced with humor, charm, and British quirkiness.

Sam Fletcher’s depiction of Patrick is enchanting, lending him a dogged determination and heaps of delightful charisma, making him an irreplaceable part of the film. Contrasting the cheeky Pug is Holliday-Evans, who plays Sarah’s father, offering a more stern and traditional foil to his granddaughter’s freewheeling spirit.

Edmondson's portrayal of Sarah is truly the heart of the film. She renders her character with a sophisticated blend of humor, sensitivity, and grace, making it easy for the audience to relate to her as she tackles the challenges thrown her way. From being dumped by her boyfriend to dealing with an inherited Pug on a personal destruction mission, Sarah exhibits an endearing blend of vulnerability and resilience.

To complicate Sarah's already chaotic life, she finds herself having to balance her professional responsibilities as a teacher with the sudden responsibilities of canine parenthood, all the while reckoning with her recent heartbreak. Patrick, with his mischievous antics and peculiar mannerisms, adds another layer of complexity to her life. However, Patrick's entrance into her life also triggers a series of events that lead to Sarah growing as an individual, both professionally and personally.

Mandie Fletcher's direction truly shines through in Patrick. Often known for her notable work in British television, Fletcher adds a delightful charm to this film with her touch of British eccentric humor. The movie beautifully depicts the bond between a pet and its owner and underscores how profoundly these bonds can change our lives, and possibly even save it.

The real beauty of Patrick lies in the simplicity of its premise – a young woman in the throes of life, a recalcitrant pug, seasoned with a dash of love, companionship, and self-discovery. The film encapsulates this notion and presents it in a humorously adorable package. It also offers a humane reminder of the healing power of love—both from our fellow humans and our furry friends—with a perfect balance of humor and emotion, ensuring that it remains a captivating watch throughout.

The cinematography captures the charming English countryside and the frantic pace of city life with equal finesse. Both the indoor and outdoor sequences are shot with great attention to detail, which contributes to the overall aesthetic and feel of the film.

Supporting performances by Adrian Scarborough, Emily Atack, and Tom Bennett add color, depth, and variety to the film's texture. A special mention must be made of Ed Skrein. Although a relatively small role in terms of screen time, Skrein’s portrayal of the handsome vet adds an extra layer of charm and gentle comedy to the piece.

Patrick encapsulates an ideal blend of sentimental family values, clever humor, and tender romance. Its simplicity, the natural charm of its characters, and the heartwarming journey of self-discovery make it a plea to the viewer to stop, laugh, and appreciate life—wriggly, mischievous Pugs and all.

In conclusion, Patrick offers an engaging and delightful romp through life’s unexpected adventures that is sure to entertain viewers of all ages and pet owners everywhere. It is truly a film about the journeys we take and the unexpected companions we gather along the way. The greatest takeaway from it? Love finds you in the most unexpected places. Sometimes, it has four legs, a cute snout, and a plethora of mischief tucked under its fur.