Ben Petrie, CAN 2024

The Heirloom is based in part on the real-life relationship between director Ben Petrie and actress Grace Glowicki. Both play the lead roles of Eric and Allie, a couple who decide to adopt a shelter dog during the COVID-19 lockdown. The film has the best performance of a dog I’ve seen in ages. Somehow Minnie, the dog, conveys a gentle vulnerability that is most palpable during the scenes where her parents argue. It’s almost like Kramer vs. Kramer, but with a dog – you can’t help but sympathize with the vulnerable offspring of bickering parents. 

The Heirloom is both disturbing and hilariously sincere. As described in a Letterboxd review, “If you love dogs like a neurotic freak or hate relationships like a neurotic freak this is the one for you!” In short, The Heirloom is indie cinema at its finest.

-Hil

IMDb

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