I agree with you to an extent. I've just finished watching 'White Dog' for the first time and I thought it really struggled during the first act where Kristy McNichol was the predominant figure. It wasn't really until Carruthers and Keys were given the arduous task of trying to recondition the dog that the film came into its own. I think those two were wonderfully convincing. You could really sense from Keys that he grew to become obsessed and looked upon the reconditioning the dog as a personal mission of his.
I thought as a whole the film worked. Ennio Morricone's score is nothing short of a masterpiece and really helped create an eerie atmosphere and made the attacks all the more terrifying to experience. The acting from the dog itself was flawless; every movement, every gesture appeared perfectly balanced and timed. I can imagine it's incredibly difficult to work with animals whilst filming and 'White Dog' has done it is as well - if not better - than any other film I can think of.
A solid 7. I think if a Sally Field type had been cast in the lead role as Julie Sawyer then that would have elevated the whole production to a massive degree. I loved the film; incredibly haunting score from Morricone, compelling supporting performances and the subject matter is one of real substance and will impact most viewers. A very good film.
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