Breaking Free
The film is categorized as a thriller, but it’s actually a psychological drama, and only perhaps for a moment do we get a sense of tension. The atmosphere is mostly oppressive and uncomfortable, due to the relationships between the characters. At the center of the plot are two sisters, one of whom is a Wrangler—that is, a dog trainer—and she tries to control everything around her: the dogs at the center where she works, her colleagues, her husband, and in a way even her sister. When you tie a dog to a chain or put it in a cage, it will struggle and want to escape. Because it wants freedom. That is also the main theme of this film: how the training that works for dogs is not necessarily good for people.The actors are somehow static and restrained, so the emotions they are experiencing don’t easily reach the viewer. Production-wise the film is fine, but you can tell it’s not a blockbuster and that they made use of whatever was available. Still, for those who enjoy psychological drama/thriller, this film is worth watching. It requires a little patience, but overall the film has a well-developed structure, striking symbolism with the dogs, and a memorable finale.
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