TIFF KIDS Film Review - HOW TO STEAL A DOG

The 2016 TIFF KIDS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL APRIL 8-24 at Bell Lightbox.

HOW TO STEAL A DOG  -  Screens Saturday April 9 at 3:30 P.M. Ages 9-13
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Ji-so (Le Re) does not want to let others know her living situation.  When she gets a ride home from school she asks to be dropped blocks away from the supposed location of her home. The reason being that she is homeless and lives in a van with her mother and baby brother. Their father had left home and her mother moves from job to job not able to establish a working career.

Ji-so has an idea of how to get her family get back on track. She sees a flyer showing the large amount of money that the wealthy will pay to recover a lost pet then another that advertises homes available for a starter price of 500 won. She lets her best friend Chae-rang (Lee Ji-won) in on her plight and plan.

They target a dog of Lady Marcel the owner of the that Ji-so mother currently works. The girls work up an elaborate plan with Ji so's little brother  Ji-seok (Hong Eun-taek) often being the voice of reason despite comments that anyone named seok is not very smart.  The pair take a couple of attempts at the feat but meet strong opposition from the owners nephew who has plans of his own for the pet.

Director Kim Seong-ho adapted the story from a novel by Barbara O'Connor, Seong-ho rounded the dark edges, added in several spots of humor delivering a film with several good messages. Stealing is never a good idea. Do not judge people on first impressions. Being truthful to yourself and others is always the best course of action.
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The child cast is the centre of the feature and perform their roles well. Le Re as Ji-so shows many different sides to her performance. She's plotting, a planner, minds her baby brother, is bratty to her mom because of the family situation and is contrite and apologetic in her pivotal scene with Lady Marcel. Kang Hye-jeong is strong as the family matriarch who is determined to get her children a home despite a string of failed employment opportunities.

How to Steal a Dog is a light feature with some valuable lessons mixed in with several comedic moments. The ending is what the viewer would expect however the film is worth a watch.

*** Out of 4

How to Steal A Dog | Kim Seong-ho | South Korea | 2014 | 109 Minutes.

Tags: Pizza Van,  Homeless, Doggie Day Care, Inheritance, Hotel, Dognapping, Bankrupt.