Pongo, The Millionaire Dog
The beauty of cinema lies in the ability to tell real or invented stories, with human or animal protagonists, to insert them into a genre and transform them into a cinematographic work that manages to surprise, at least a part of the public.
In the world of the seventh art, Spain is currently one of the most avant-garde and award-winning countries from the old and new continent, thanks to a series of directors, actors and films that have brought prestige to the European cinema market.
It also has the privilege of having one of the best known canine actors at the moment.
We are talking about Cook, the protagonist of “Pongo, the millionaire dog”, a 2014 film that was a great success, with a collection of three million euros.
Pongo, a funny comedy for the family
Far from being a film that merely softens by involving animals in the acting, Pongo, the millionaire dog has a pleasant plot, which places this film in the genre of fun comedies suitable for the whole family, even if aimed more at children.
The two human protagonists are Iván Massagué and Patricia Conde, much loved by the Spanish public for their appearance in films, television programs and TV series.
The adventures of Pongo
Pongo is a beautiful and lively millionaire dog who leads an extravagant life with his guardian on a large estate. A gang of criminals forces him to run away and to experience continuous family changes, situations in which the brilliant little dog has the opportunity to show his tender and ironic side to the fullest.
The film, which amuses with its numerous comic and action scenes, essentially contains the theme of friendship between dog and human being.
Written and directed by Tom Fernández, Pongo, the millionaire dog has achieved, especially in Spain, a great success that goes beyond the excellent box office receipts.
The genre “film with dogs”, lately a bit ‘in a downward phase, has regained its initial impetus thanks to the adventures of Pongo, directed with intelligence and skill by this talented director.
The spotlight, however, is all on Pongo, the outstanding protagonist.
Cook, the actor dog
Much of the success of this film is due to the lead actor, a Spanish dog.
This is Cook, a cute 15-year-old Jack Russel Terrier who has become a celebrity in Spain with his appearances in films, TV series, commercials and thanks to his incredible ability to act and perform a variety of tricks.
His owners, Antonio and Yolanda, have started training him since he joined their family as a 4 month old puppy.
From that moment on, her life became a routine made up of love and attention, but also of training. Cook’s cachet has currently reached 500 euros for each day of shooting.
His notoriety led him to be invited to the presentation of the prestigious Goya Awards, already in 2010.
Although it is the first film in which the little guy plays a starring role, Cook had already starred in the film “Carlotta’s Diary”.
The curriculum of this good dog also boasts participation in successful Spanish TV series, such as “Los Serrano”, later adapted for the Italian public in the television series “I Cesaroni”, “Physics or chemistry” and many others.
Movies for everyone
I ask, the millionaire dog is a film for the little ones, but it manages to entertain and even make adults think about how unique and spectacular all dogs are.
Surely it is a film appreciated by those who love the genre and four-legged friends.
