Watch Wiener-Dog

Wiener-Dog is a 2016 independent comedy-drama film written and directed by Todd Solondz. It stars a Dachshund who passes through various human owners, and the movie tells the stories of these different individuals and how their lives are affected by this little dog's presence. The movie is divided into four distinct segments, each featuring different characters and stories. The first segment tells the story of a young boy named Remi (Keaton Nigel Cooke), who has recently survived cancer, and is given Wiener-Dog as a gift from his father (Tracy Letts). Remi is thrilled with his new pet but is quickly shunned when his mom (Julie Delpy), a germaphobe, discovers the dog has just had surgery and still has a drainage tube attached to her body. The first section ends with an unexpected twist that sets the tone for the rest of the movie.

The second segment features Dawn (Greta Gerwig), a veterinary assistant who takes Wiener-Dog home with her after rescuing her from being put down. Dawn is a quirky and awkward millennial who feels unfulfilled in her life and takes Wiener-Dog with her on a road trip to visit an ex-boyfriend (Kieran Culkin) and his wealthy family. This section is arguably the most humorous of the four, with several cringe-worthy moments that showcase Dawn's desperate attempts to connect with others.

The third segment features the most haunting and surreal story of the four, as Wiener-Dog ends up in the hands of Dave Schmerz (Danny DeVito), an embittered and failed screenwriter in his fifties. Dave feels like he has given up on his dreams and hates his job as a teacher at a film school. He takes Wiener-Dog with him to an alumni event and has a conversation with a former classmate (Dusan Dukic) that leads him to a dark realization about the nature of humanity.

The final segment features Nana, a bitter and elderly woman (Ellen Burstyn) who is visited by her granddaughter Zoe (Zosia Mamet) and her boyfriend Fantasy (Michael Shaw). Nana is surrounded by the reminders of the life she once had, and is startled when Zoe brings Wiener-Dog into her house. This segment is a poignant and melancholy reflection on aging and the choices we make in life.

Wiener-Dog is a film that tackles big themes like mortality, loneliness, and the search for meaning in life through the lens of simple pleasures and life's absurdities. It's a uniquely constructed movie that offers originality and humor while still provoking reflection and introspection. The film's pacing and tone vary between sections, which some viewers might find distracting, but ultimately, each segment serves to strengthen the overarching narrative. Overall, Wiener-Dog is a charming, quirky, and at times, heartbreaking film that delivers a potent impact through its insights into human nature.

Wiener-Dog is a 2016 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 66.