Film review: ‘RUNT’ by Nick Gardener from ‘Built For Speed’

While its plot and thickly layered Australiana are a little clichéd, Runt, from director John Sheedy, is still a very sweet, charming family film that represents another instalment in the ‘amazing animal’ film sub-genre.

The title character (played by a dog named Squid) is a stray terrier who lives in the fictitious remote Australian town of Upson Downs.  Having just pilfered the old string of sausages from a local butcher, Runt happens upon the inquisitive and feisty 10-year-old Annie Shearer (Lily LaTorre).  Taking an instant liking to the scruffy canine, Annie promptly adopts him. When Runt proves to be a little demon in the sport of dog obstacle course racing he earns himself, Annie and her dad Bryan (Jai Courtney) a ticket to the pinnacle event of the sport in London.  A win could earn the desperately struggling drought-stricken Shearer family a very handy quarter million. A nasty rich local land owner, the unsubtly named Earl Robert-Barren (Jack Thompson) and a villainous and highly temperamental rival dog trainer, Fergus Fink (Matt Day) however, threaten to skittle Annie and her family’s plans.

For the most part, this is an enjoyably upbeat mix of family togetherness, lovable animal film and four-legged sports drama.  There are fairly obvious similarities to Red Dog and Babe but also some of the hyper-Aussie quirkiness of Baz Luhrman films and a smattering of Best in Show.  Some of the zany humour feels a little forced and shrill but it’s mostly amiable and occasionally genuinely funny.

Most important, though, is the delightful and moving bond between Annie and Runt, one scene at the London competition will have even the most stone-faced critics sniffling.

As Annie, young Lily LaTorre is extremely endearing – far more so than the snarky 11-year-old character Mildred in the Kiwi film Bookworm – and has us really caring about what happens to her.  Jai Courtney, who seems to be channelling Shane Jacobson, does a fine job as a decent bloke trying to do the best by his family.  Celeste Barber is also a vibrant presence as Annie’s mum Susie but isn’t given quite enough opportunity to display her comic talents – her main contribution is a running gag about innocently making disgusting pies.  As the evil Fink, Matt Day is amusingly over the top and with his outrageously coiffured mane and sparkly suit, he looks like something out of Strictly Ballroom. Deborah Mailman as Bernadette, a reclusive dog training guru and Jack LaTorre (who recently appeared in Kid Snow) as Annie’s brother Max, provide enjoyable support.  Jack Thompson is appropriately pompous and vile as the local rich meanie Robert-Barren but is underused here.

Sheedy occasionally allows the quirkiness to go into overdrive and throws in a few jarring risqué gags (the film has a PG rating) but Runt is mostly heartwarming fun.

Nick’s rating: ***1/2

Genre: Drama/ Comedy/ Animal.

Classification: PG.

Director(s): John Sheedy.

Release date: 19th Sep 2024.

Running time: 91 mins.

Reviewer: Nick Gardener can be heard on “Built For Speed” every Friday night from 8-10pm on 88.3 Southern FM.

 

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