The Little Dog That Could

Simply put, Quill is a dog movie. The 2004 Japanese film follows an unconventional Labrador named Quill from puppyhood as he laboriously trains to become a guide for the blind. In process, the unlikely candidate for the position wins over every human he comes in contact with, particularly a cynical blind man reluctant to vary his cane-carrying ways. Naturally, Quill is touching and heartwarming and adorable and the pup's owner learns unanticipated life lessons from his canine, so expect a guilt trip to the Humane Society afterward if you bring kids. It separates from the pack by digging deeper than expected into the loyalty of the pet/person relationship and approaching the coexistence from both sides. Quill is in Japanese and subtitled in English, although neither version of the dialog is crucial. It's a dog movie, and cute is a universal language. Quill screens at 2:15 p.m. Monday, November 14, at Plaza Frontenac Cinema (1701 South Lindbergh Boulevard; www.cinemastlouis.org), and again at 1 p.m. Sunday, November 20, also at Plaza Frontenac Cinema. Admission is $10 to $12.
Mon., Nov. 14, 2011