Dog Park

Dog Park

Year: 1999

Runtime: 91 min

Language: English

Director: Bruce McCulloch

ComedyRomance

While visiting a dog park, Andy experiences a series of romantic setbacks and disappointments. His girlfriend’s impulsive actions lead to the loss of their dog, leaving him feeling lost and longing for connection. He then finds himself awkwardly drawn to a television star, Lorna, but realizes she's preoccupied. Ultimately, Andy learns to appreciate the comfort and companionship found in the dog park community, finding greater value in those simple bonds than in fleeting romances.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Dog Park yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Dog Park (1999)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Dog Park (1999). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Bar, TV station, Video store, Obedience school, Psychiatrist's office, Dog park

The story unfolds across everyday urban spaces that act as social hubs for dating and domestic life. A bar serves as the social crossroads where Andy and Lorna's feelings flicker, while a local TV station reveals Lorna's public persona and career pressures. Through visits to a video store, obedience school graduation, and a psychiatrist's office addressing pet welfare, the film threads together romance, custody, and pet-centric anxieties in a contemporary setting.

🍺 Bar 📺 TV station 📼 Video store 🐕 Obedience school 🧑‍⚕️ Psychiatrist's office 🐾 Dog park

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:05

Main Characters – Dog Park (1999)

Meet the key characters of Dog Park (1999), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Andy

A newspaper classifieds writer who cycles through relationships since eighth grade, Andy pursues love even as he struggles with stability. His pattern of flirtations and dating schemes masks a longing for lasting connection, and his dog custody loss deepens his sense of responsibility and desire for security.

🎭 Drama 🗞️ Journalism 💔 Love & dating

Cheryl

Andy's ex-girlfriend who leaves him for another man and later tempts him back. She is involved in the dog custody situation and embodies the theme of emotional independence and relational upheaval.

💔 Drama 🐶 Pet guardianship 🧡 Relationships

Trevor

A punk rocker who is Cheryl's new partner and a source of breakup trouble for Andy. His presence highlights the volatility of love triangles and the lure of rebellious lifestyles.

🎸 Music 🧨 Rebellion 💔 Relationships

Lorna

A children's TV show host who forms a complicated bond with Andy while nursing emotional wounds from Trevor's departure. She embodies glamour and fragility, balancing public persona with private longing.

📺 TV Host 💔 Relationships 🎭 Drama

Callum

The video store clerk who helps Lorna with a late-date resolution and leaves a message that advances her path. He becomes a counterpoint to Andy's dating strategies.

🎬 Video Store 💬 Communication 🧭 Social life

Kieran

A vegan nutritionist who dates Andy and champions a high-sex view of relationships, adding another layer to the dating dynamics and ethical choices.

🥗 Veganism 🧪 Health 💘 Dating

Jeff

Jeri's boyfriend, who is observed to be having an affair by Kieran through body-language cues, triggering relationship tensions and discoveries.

💔 Infidelity 👀 Observation 👫 Relationships

Jeri

Jeff's girlfriend, who is deeply connected to the social circle and experiences the ripple effects of his affair as the truth emerges.

💔 Drama 👫 Relationships 🐶 Pet ties

Rachel

A character seen at the obedience school graduation who uncovers the affair through the interactions around Jeff's dogs, aiding the emotional resolution.

🎓 Obedience School 🕵️‍♀️ Discovery 🐾 Dogs

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:05

Major Themes – Dog Park (1999)

Explore the central themes of Dog Park (1999), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Romance

Romance and heartbreak drive the plot as Andy and Lorna oscillate between attraction and hesitation, tangled with past disappointments and multiple partners. The story probes how impulsive dating, casual encounters, and lingering insecurity challenge commitment. The evolving relationship culminates in a hopeful reconciliation after a long stretch apart.

🐾 Custody

The dog serves as a focal point in the custody battle, forcing the main characters to confront responsibility, boundaries, and care. The animals' welfare becomes a yardstick for trust and stability in human relationships. A psychiatrist's intervention underscores how pets can reflect and influence emotional health.

🌱 Growth

Characters confront emotional fragility and learn to navigate vulnerability. The arc emphasizes self-awareness and gradual commitment as Andy and Lorna move from initial hesitation to a decision to pursue a relationship. The narrative suggests personal growth emerges through honest communication and willingness to invest in someone else.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 08:05

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Dog Park

Don't stop at just watching — explore Dog Park in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Dog Park is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Dog Park Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Dog Park, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Dog Park Summary

Dog Park Timeline

Track the full timeline of Dog Park with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Dog Park Timeline

Dog Park Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Dog Park that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Dog Park Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Dog Park

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Dog Park: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Dog Park

Similar Movies to Dog Park

Discover movies like Dog Park that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.