On Screen / Linda Cook

This ‘Chihuahua’ is a top dog

By Linda Cook | Thursday, October 09, 2008 | () comments

“BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA”

* * *

Running time: One hour and 30 minutes

Rated: PG for threatening situations and mildly adult humor

>>> Awww, chihuahua!

Cute as can be — and maybe even appealing enough to warm the hearts of those not inclined to cuddle little dogs — “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” is a fun adventure that’s perfect for family viewing.

There’s a little “Lady and the Tramp,” a lot of “Lassie Come Home” and some “Babe” in this show that has just as much heart as its predecessors.

Chloe (the voice of Drew Barrymore) is a spoiled chihuahua who lives in Beverly Hills with her adoring caretaker Viv (Jamie Lee Curtis), who can’t do enough for the pampered pooch. Chloe dresses in designer duds and even trots around in little matching booties. She has pool parties with her doggie gal pals and loves to gossip at the salon.

The handsome landscaper at Chloe’s home has a dog, too, a larger chihuahua named Papi (George Lopez). Chloe, though, is a snob and snubs Papi’s affections. Still, the loyal Papi continues to think of Chloe as his “corazon.”

When Viv leaves for a business trip abroad, her niece Rachel (Piper Perabo) comes to stay. Rachel ends up taking care of Chloe, who goes along when the young woman accompanies her friends to visit Mexico. Chloe ends up getting out of the hotel room, however, and then becomes the victim of a dognapping. The dognapper is getting ready to throw her into a dogfighting ring when Chloe is rescued by a kindly German shepherd named Delgado (Andy Garcia).

In the meantime, Papi is trying to sniff out his lost would-be love. And Chloe is learning some hard lessons indeed: In Mexico, she’s just another street dog. But maybe there’s a chance she will learn about the land of her ancestors and the enormous might within herself.

I was surprised at how smart this screenplay is, and how beautifully it delivers messages about the horrors of dogfighting and the inequities in society’s class system within the fun of the story. The class divisions exist for both people and the dogs in this tale, which focuses on how well people can communicate with each other and animals if we only pause long enough to try to understand.

This movie has that entertaining blend of sensitivity, humor and goodwill that’s often lacking in so-called family films. The movie also emphasizes what great pets shelter dogs are and to consider that adopting a pooch is a lifetime commitment.

It’s colorful fun sprinkled with paws-itive messages. Viva chihuahua!

Linda Cook reviews movies for GO&DO and KWQC-TV. Contact her at (563) 383-2400 or lcook@qctimes.com. Comment on this review and read the rest in their entirety at qctimes.com/goanddo.