A Letter To True

This is one of those movies that will make dog-lovers smile even though it takes a very diverse approach to its material. Photographer Bruce Weber has led an interesting life over the years and this film allows him to share these moments with documentary audiences using a letter-writing device to connect the varied material. Scenes from dog movies like "Lassie" are contrasted both with Weber's own dogs and famous people who are similarly connected to their canine pals. Anecdotes range from Dirk Bogarde's cancer-infected lover forcing a move out of Provence to Elizabeth Taylor's heartfelt call to man dying of AIDS, neither of which seem to connect to life with dogs in any way except that Bogarde owned Corgi's and Taylor her constant companion 'Sugar'. But Weber seems sure of his material and weaves it together with a wonderful source music score of jazz standards belted out by Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day, and Joni James. Kind of an odd duck for a dog movie but those that own man's best friend should enjoy this ode to the gorgeous Irish Setter 'True'.