Fluke (1995)

30% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(8,620 ratings)

A man learns to be a better person when he turns into a dog in this thoughtful and surprisingly somber drama for the family. Tom (Matthew Modine), a businessman, is so driven to succeed that he all but ignores his wife Carol (Nancy Travis) and their son Brian (Max Pomeranc). Tom's perspective… More A man learns to be a better person when he turns into a dog in this thoughtful and surprisingly somber drama for the family. Tom (Matthew Modine), a businessman, is so driven to succeed that he all but ignores his wife Carol (Nancy Travis) and their son Brian (Max Pomeranc). Tom's perspective changes when he dies in an auto accident and is reincarnated as Fluke, a big brown dog. Fluke wants nothing more than to be with Carol and Brian, but he gets lost as he tries to make his way home. He's adopted by a homeless woman, and with her, Fluke truly learns to give and receive love for the first time, but when she dies, the dog is left with nowhere to go. Fluke is soon befriended by Rumbo (voice of Samuel L. Jackson), a guard dog at a junkyard who teaches him how to survive on the street, but before long, Fluke once again hears the call from his heart to find Carol and Brian. Fluke also stars Eric Stolz, Ron Perlman, and Jon Polito. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Carlo Carlei
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Jun 2, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Mar 6, 2001
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, Variety
This strange family fare, about a dog that was once a man, tries unsuccessfully to combine the expected magic of animal adventures with some more serious ideas.
Mike Clark, USA Today
As if banal platitudes about work-vs. -family aren't insufferable enough, there's a kicker gag involving Jackson that'll even have Mister Rogers begging for Pulp Fiction II.
John Wirt, Advocate (Baton Rouge, LA)
Touching in a shaggy dog sort of way.
Fred Topel, About.com
Terrible dog movie. Schmaltzy family crap.
Greg Muskewitz, eFilmCritic.com
It deals with challenging issues for the younger crowd in a sensitive manner and is still able to avoid patronizing the parent viewers.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Fluke has some interesting points to make about animals and about living in the present moment.

Read all 6 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Bently L

Parents, if you ever see this on the shelf of a video store, don't let the cute little dog wearing shoes fool you. Fluke is a very heavy dog movie. And by heavy, I mean by the film's themes. Here's a brief synopsis: Fluke is a dog who was once a human. After dying in… More
Parents, if you ever see this on the shelf of a video store, don't let the cute little dog wearing shoes fool you. Fluke is a very heavy dog movie. And by heavy, I mean by the film's themes. Here's a brief synopsis: Fluke is a dog who was once a human. After dying in a horrific car accident, he re-incarnates as a dog and goes on a journey to find his wife and kid who he left behind. Sounds dark? I know. Who knew that a movie about a dog can be a real tearjerker? Fluke is either going to make you cry or make your heart like a 10-ton safe. This is not a movie for the toddlers. Watch this movie if you have kids who are 7 and over. DO NOT WATCH THIS WITH VERY SENSITIVE KIDS!!! It might be pretty hard to see this at the video store. If your a Netflix member, definetly add this to your queue. When you do, I hope you enjoy it. Fluke only grossed $5 million upon its release and was badly received by critics upon its release. But with mostly positive reviews by the Rotten Tomatoes community and a 60% fresh rating, I have a feeling that Fluke might have become a cult classic. "We can keep each other warm."
Spencer S

Just as it's called, a fluke in the movie making industry.
Dillon L

Lame, depressing, and just plain inappropriate for kids. I find it amazing that Samuel L. Jackson chooses to waste his talents on crap like this.