‘Arthur the King’ will not win any movie awards. That’s okay. The reason I like these stories is the incredible bond between dogs and humans. For anyone that has had a dog in their lives, they bring out the best in us. They are always there with unconditional love at low points in our lives. That’s why it worked for me. ‘Arthur the King’ is a heartwarming true-life tale. It’s about finding out what is important in life that ultimately leads to redemption. The film is a testament that the journey is more important than the destination. ‘Arthur the King’ is a winner.
Before digging into the plot, this film is based on actual events. It is the Americanized version of a memoir from Swedish endurance racer Mikael Lindhord. Mark Wahlberg plays Michael Light and gives the story credibility. He has that weathered athletic look that gives the story authenticity. Wahlberg plays a guy that has a beautiful wife (Juliet Rylance) and an adorable daughter. They live somewhere in a gorgeous mountain setting. You would think he would be satisfied with his life. The problem is that he just can’t get over losing the Adventure Racing World Championship three years ago. He struggles holding down a normal job.
To understand his dilemma, let’s talk about this adventure race that is held in different parts of the world. It’s a real event that adventure junkies seek out. For 10 days, teams of four cross 435 miles of rugged terrain. They run, kayak, bike, mountain climb and camp out (only getting a few hours’ sleep). The pain and suffering these athletes must endure is brutal. When you watch the story unfold, you begin to understand how important it is for the teammates to work together to get to the finish line.
I have to admit that I was not too impressed with some of the human characters. Michael is the leader of the group and he gets some resistance from Simu Liu’s character Leo. Michael needs him for his social media presence to help him get sponsorships. The other athletes on the team Chik (Ali Suliman) and expert climber Olivia (Nathalie Emannuel) bring their own burdens to the team. Chik has a bum knee and Olivia is doing the race for her father. The story gives us a glimpse of the dog and the bad living conditions he faces. On one of their pit stops to quickly refuel before continuing their trek, Michael gives the dog some meatballs. After this act of kindness, the dog chooses to follow the team along the racecourse.
When Michael notices the dog has been following them for miles, he cannot believe it. He names the dog, Arthur. As Arthur eventually becomes a part of their team, they realize what is important. The dog teaches them to work together as a team. They realize that Arthur is special. By following the team through the dangerous terrain, they realize that he is worth saving. One of the highlights of the film is the stunning locations shot in the jungle. There is even a jaw dropping zip line scene that is a real cliff hanger.
You don’t have to be a dog lover to admire ‘Arthur the King.’ This sentimental film shows us how our four-legged friends can help us through the tough times in life. The real star that saves this film is the dog actor named Ukai. Get ready for an adventure that will leave you cheering to the finish line.
