Name: My Life as a Dog
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: 1985-12-12
Duration: 1 h 42 min
Cast: Anton Glanzelius, Tomas von Brömssen, Anki Lidén, Melinda Kinnaman, Kicki Rundgren

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Story

It could have been worse. I've actually been lucky. If you compare...

A boy, obsessed with comparing himself with those less fortunate, experiences a different life at the home of his aunt and uncle in 1959 Sweden.

Feels like

Swedish Coming-of-Age
Melancholy Childhood
1950s Setting
Family Relationships
Social Commentary
Introspective
Nostalgic
Bittersweet
Gentle Humor

Cast

9 of 9

Crew

Directed by: Lasse Hallström
Written by: Lasse Hallström, Brasse Brännström, Per Berglund
Produced by: Waldemar Bergendahl
Music by: Björn Isfält

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My Life as a Dog1985

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Facts

December 12, 1985 · 1 h 42 min · Drama, Comedy

Released: December 12, 1985
Runtime: 1 h 42 min
Genres: Drama, Comedy
Original language: Swedish
Made in: Sweden
Box office: $8 million
Available in: 31 countries
Keywords: based on novel or book

Tropes

The '50s, Disappeared Dad, Break the Cutie +9

The '50s
Disappeared Dad
Break the Cutie
Blood Oath
Big Brother Bully
Slice of Life
It's Not Porn, It's Art
Misplaced Accent
Shout-Out
Take Care of the Kids
Coming of Age
Hands-Off Parenting

12 of 30 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream My Life as a Dog?"

Questions about My Life as a Dog

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream My Life as a Dog?

HBO Max

Criterion

In the United States, My Life as a Dog streams on HBO Max and Criterion. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 15 other countries.

Is My Life as a Dog worth watching?

85

ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 85 (IMDb 7.6, Rotten Tomatoes 100%, and Metacritic 82).

Is My Life as a Dog okay for kids?

Yes: the viewing guide lists it for kids.

Will My Life as a Dog make me laugh?

A touch

Not much for a comedy: the title analysis gives its humor 1 of 4.

Is My Life as a Dog plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (8 of 10) more than on its plot.

Is My Life as a Dog in English?

Swedish

No, it was made in Swedish.

What tropes does My Life as a Dog use?

The '50sDisappeared DadBreak the CutieBlood OathBig Brother BullySlice of LifeIt's Not Porn, It's ArtMisplaced AccentShout-OutTake Care of the KidsComing of AgeHands-Off Parentingand 18 more

TV Tropes lists 30 tropes for it, including The '50s, Disappeared Dad, and Break the Cutie.