Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog (2012)

84% of critics liked it
(19 reviews)
88% of users liked it
(2,791 ratings)

Based on a true story, Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog is the sweet tale of a yellow Labrador Retriever guide dog for the blind named Quill. We follow Quill from the litter to his selection as a guide dog shortly after his first birthday. After training at a school for guide dogs, Quill is paired… More Based on a true story, Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog is the sweet tale of a yellow Labrador Retriever guide dog for the blind named Quill. We follow Quill from the litter to his selection as a guide dog shortly after his first birthday. After training at a school for guide dogs, Quill is paired with a blind man named Watanabe who at first is reluctant to rely on him. But Quill's great patience, gentleness and skill eventually win him over and they become inseparable friends. -- (C) Music Box Films

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Yoichi Sai
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Art House & International

In Theaters: May 18, 2012 Limited
Studio: Music Box Films

Critic Reviews

Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader
It's surprisingly unsentimental in its depiction of people with disabilities, and the scenes of guide-dog training are informative.
Andy Webster, New York Times
Its principal selling point - the supreme watchability of dogs, especially working dogs - is undeniably powerful.
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
It's a wonderful film, though, which is - oddly - only now getting a very limited release, eight years after its Japanese debut.
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News
Yoichi Sai's movie may be a bit tough for young viewers, but it is gentle and illuminating.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
What sets this film above so many movies about animals is that it's about a dog who is realistic in every aspect.
Melissa Anderson, Village Voice
When isn't it a good time to show a movie tracing the development of a kind, charismatic yellow Labrador retriever from frolicsome puppy to devoted seeing-eye companion to weary senior?
Rob Humanick, Slant Magazine
The exquisite live-action Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog may be the family film of the year.
Kent Turner, Film-Forward.com
[The director] delivers a sentimental tale for dog lovers, grounded by the man-and-his-dog bond that has made the novels Where the Red Fern Grows and Old Yeller perennially popular.
Doris Toumarkine, Film Journal International
Wonderful, emotionally wrenching charmer is an absolute must-see for dog-lovers of all ages.
Fr. Chris Carpenter, Movie Dearest
Director Yoichi Sai lays the sentimentality and humor on thick at times. Still, the movie is charming more often than not, and Sai's pseudo-documentary approach gives viewers a greater appreciation of service animals.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A heart-affecting Japanese film about a patient, skilled, and loving seeing-eye dog and his brief life of service.
Scott Tobias, AV Club
Save for the tearful goodbye scenes, the only real drama in Quill is that Kobayashi is a little cranky at first and believe he's doing just fine with a cane.
Matt Singer, Time Out New York
The real star is Rafie, the golden pup that plays Quill; dogs can be taught to sit or lie down, but they can't fake the sort of connection he makes with the people around him.
Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve
A documentary-style drama portraying the training of a seeing-eye dog is sentimental and convincingly acted by both human beings and Labs
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...this is the sort of movie kids will probably enjoy more than adults...
Liz Braun, Jam! Movies
It's tough to argue with a movie that features close-ups of Labrador puppies. Still, the Japanese feature Quill is one of the strangest dog movies this viewer has ever encountered.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony V

Not just a cute puppy movie. Follows the life of a seeing eye dog from beginning to end. Funny, touching and worthy of any movie collection