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Who Gets the Dog? (2007 film)

Who Gets the Dog? is a one-off British television comedy-drama starring Kevin Whately, Alison Steadman, Stephen Mangan, and Emma Pierson. It was written by Guy Hibbert and directed by Nicholas Renton and premiered on ITV on Sunday 2 December 2007 at 9pm.

Who Gets the Dog?
GenreComedy drama
Created byGuy Hibbert
Directed byNicholas Renton
StarringKevin Whately
Alison Steadman
Stephen Mangan
Emma Pierson
Sinead Matthews
Hayley Nolan
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Production
ProducerEmma Burge
Production locationsIsle of Man
London
Running time120 mins
Production companiesCompany Pictures
(an All3Media company)
Isle of Man Film
Original release
NetworkITV

Plot summary

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Jack and Jenny Evans have been married for 27 years but have hit a rough patch in their marriage, as Jack has been having an affair with coworker Pamela. The two decide to split despite the protestations of their daughter and both hire lawyers to represent them. During a meeting the two lawyers, Steve Hollister and Tara Walker, find that they have a mutual attraction to one another. They also get a perverse sense of joy out of dragging out the divorce proceedings, especially as this means that they can bill for more hours. Jack and Jenny continue to argue, particularly as each wants to take custody of the family dog, Bounder.

Ultimately Steve and Tara's plot is uncovered by their superiors and foiled. Jack breaks up with Pamela and reunites with Jenny, much to their daughter's joy.

Cast

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Production

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Emma Pierson commented on playing a villainous character, as she felt that "Playing a character like Tara is a way of unleashing the demons, being able to say things and behave in a way you wouldn't in real life. I like playing girls on screen who are tougher than me, so I don't have to be them in reality."[1] Filming took place on the Isle of Man.[2]

Release

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Who Gets the Dog? premiered on ITV on Sunday 2 December 2007 at 9pm.[3]

Reception

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Critical reception for Who Gets the Dog? was predominantly negative, with The Munster Express calling the film a "train wreck" and The Telegraph joking that they "feel sorry for any lawyers watching".[4][5] The Guardian heavily criticized the film as "a truly terrible programme. While the writing either plodded or cartwheeled, the performances swung between adequate and desperate."[6] The Independent was similarly critical, writing "It's the phrase "comedy drama" that is problematic, given a script that begins with attritional marital row and proceeds by way of nervous breakdowns, suicide attempts and cruel professional cynicism, to a rueful and unconvincing "happy" ending."[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Let battle commence for Kevin". Manchester Evening News. 26 November 2007. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Brittas Empire star brings stories to Clapham with help from showbiz friends and Shameless co-star". Your Local Guardian. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  3. ^ White, Roland. "Talk to my lawyer or the dog gets it". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  4. ^ Murphy, Liam (13 December 2007). "The week in TV". The Munster Express. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  5. ^ "Weekend on television: Who Gets the Dog? (ITV1, Sun) - Long Way Down (BBC2, Sun)". The Telegraph. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  6. ^ "The weekend's TV: Who Gets the Dog?". the Guardian. 3 December 2007.
  7. ^ "The Weekend's TV: Can puppy love really save a marriage?". The Independent. 3 December 2007. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
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