Quill 2004

Andy Webster, New York Times: Its principal selling point - the supreme watchability of dogs, especially working dogs - is undeniably powerful. Read more

Scott Tobias, AV Club: Save for the tearful goodbye scenes, the only real drama in Quill is that Kobayashi is a little cranky at first and believe he's doing just fine with a cane. Read more

Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader: It's surprisingly unsentimental in its depiction of people with disabilities, and the scenes of guide-dog training are informative. Read more

Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger: It's a wonderful film, though, which is - oddly - only now getting a very limited release, eight years after its Japanese debut. Read more

Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: Yoichi Sai's movie may be a bit tough for young viewers, but it is gentle and illuminating. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: What sets this film above so many movies about animals is that it's about a dog who is realistic in every aspect. Read more

Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail: Somewhere between an instructional film about guide dogs and a melodrama, the animal movie Quill, the Japanese hit from director Yoichi Sai, is mostly bizarre. Read more

Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star: It's possible to love one of these movies and hate the other... Read more

Matt Singer, Time Out: The real star is Rafie, the golden pup that plays Quill; dogs can be taught to sit or lie down, but they can't fake the sort of connection he makes with the people around him. Read more

Dennis Harvey, Variety: Puppy appeal nudges past some dramatic deficiencies -- if just by a nose. Read more

Melissa Anderson, Village Voice: When isn't it a good time to show a movie tracing the development of a kind, charismatic yellow Labrador retriever from frolicsome puppy to devoted seeing-eye companion to weary senior? Read more