A Boy, His Dog and a Lesson in Flemish Art

That director Kevin Brodie can breathe any energy at all into “A Dog of Flanders” is something of a shaggy miracle. Its plot devices--noble orphaned boy, unknown father, faithful pet, injustice born of ignorance--may have been fresh when they appeared in the novel written by Ouida (a.k.a. Marie Louise de la Ramee) back in 1872, but since then they’ve been lifted quite often.

Not that there’s a lot of effort expended. Set in early 19th century Flanders (Dutch-speaking Belgium), “A Dog of Flanders” is a clunky film about Nello (played by Jesse James young, Jeremy James Kissner older), whose mother dies shortly after dropping him at the home of her father (Jack Warden)--in a blinding snowstorm, naturally--and who grows up with his mother’s artistic talent and no idea who fathered him.

His best friend--after the neighbor girl, Aloise (Madyline Sweeten young, Farren Monet older)--is Patrasche, a big, black, fluffy Bouvier des Flanders whom Nello finds nearly beaten to death. Boy and dog become constant companions.

This is a movie for younger children--they won’t know the conventions of the story, they won’t notice that only adults have accents, and they won’t notice that the children deliver their lines with all the conviction of an airline flight boarding announcement.

There are few enough movies with younger kids in mind, so it’s also forgivable that Jon Voight, as Nello’s mentor, Michel La Grande, looks like he feels ridiculous (his wig makes him look like one of the Moody Blues), because he gives a reasonably heartfelt performance.

Younger children also will get a brief education into the life and work of the painter Rubens, Nello’s idol, who, in a vision, even makes a brief appearance (and whose “Descent From the Cross” becomes not only a dramatic high point but also a cinematic one).

Those familiar with the book will be interested to know that the ending has been changed, into one much happier. The trade-off for this loss of profundity--even invigorating tragedy--is a gain in user-friendliness. Everyone can see “A Dog of Flanders.” Even French poodles.

* MPAA rating: PG, for one scene of mild violence, mild language and thematic elements. Times guidelines: some intense action, cruelty to dog.

‘A Dog of Flanders’

Jon Voight: Michel La Grande

Cheryl Ladd: Anna

Jack Warden: Jehan

Jesse James: Younger Nello

Jeremy James Kissner: Older Nello

A Woodbridge Films production, released by Warner Bros. Directed by Kevin Brodie. Produced by Frank Yablans. Screenplay by Brodie, Robert Singer, from the novel by Ouida. Cinematography Walther Van Den Ende. Editor Annamaria Szanto. Music Richard Friedman. Production designers Hubert Pouille, Attila F. Kovacs. Art director Stephan Rubens. Running time: 1 hour, 39 minutes.

In general release.