A Dog Year

A Dog Year (2009) is a quietly funny drama directed by George LaVoo — watch it online on iFILM. Jeff Bridges plays Jon Katz, a writer who hasn't written anything useful in months. His wife has moved out. He doesn't pick up the phone. Then a kennel ships him a border collie with an abuse history and zero interest in behaving.

Jon hauls the dog to a crumbling rented farmhouse in the country and calls in a local trainer, played by Lauren Ambrose, who quickly figures out which one of the two of them actually needs the help. Karen Allen also appears in a small, warm supporting role.

At 80 minutes the film makes no attempt to be more than it is — a low-key portrait of a man jarred back to life by an animal that refuses to be ignored. It's the kind of movie that rewards a quiet afternoon. Stream A Dog Year (2009) online on iFILM.