Review: Teacher’s Pet

When Spot’s desire is granted by an eeeeeevil scientist, the film suddenly morphs into a dissatisfying and uncomfortable concoction.

Teacher’s Pet
Photo: Walt Disney Pictures

Pitched somewhere between cringe-worthy Disney treacle and the sublime discomfort of Ren & Stimpy, the ABC animated series Teacher’s Pet makes its big-screen debut with what is a semi-resolution of the show’s central conflict. Spot Helperman (Nathan Lane) is a blue-colored canine of indeterminate breed who longs to become human. Thus far, Spot has supplemented his desire by dressing up in children’s clothing, assuming the nom de plume of Scott Leadready II, and attending school with his young master, Leonard (Shaun Flemming).

This is much to Leonard’s chagrin, as he longs for the traditionalist “boy and his dog” role that Spot abhors, and it’s to the filmmakers’ credit that they mine this situational chestnut to its full humorous potential. There’s something near-profound about this anthropomorphized creature longing to be someone other than himself, and Teacher’s Pet, as written by Bill and Cherie Steinkellner, is at its best when sticking to Spot’s human drag-show act. The vocal performance and presence of Nathan Lane only adds to the intertextual interest; the psychic pain of being “different” is behind the actor’s every impeccably delivered syllable.

Yet when Spot’s desire is granted by an eeeeeevil scientist (Kelsey Grammer), the film morphs into a dissatisfying and uncomfortable concoction. For in dog years, Spot is actually a full-grown man, complete with beard and back pain. From “boy and his dog” to “man and his boy” makes for a great initial sight gag and presents some provocative avenues of exploration (familial, sexual, etc.). Yet, perhaps under the delusion of good taste, the new dynamics of the Spot/Leonard relationship are left to languish in a maelstrom of one-sided sentiment until the zany status quo is inevitably restored, ensuring more episodes for your corporate dollar.

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This kind of dishonesty around inherently loaded imagery is Disney-particular of recent, and it unfortunately renders much of Teacher’s Pet’s artistry and honesty moot by the time that the credits roll. Yet credit the creators with at least halfway subverting the almighty mouse, capping off their efforts with a grand final visual that references Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel—a transcendent vision appreciably aimed for if not melodiously struck.

Score: 
 Cast: Nathan Lane, Kelsey Grammer, Shaun Fleming, Debra Jo Rupp, Megan Mullally, Estelle Harris, Jay Thomas, Jerry Stiller, David Ogden Stiers  Director: Tim Björklund  Screenwriter: Bill Steinkellner, Cherie Steinkellner  Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures  Running Time: 74 min  Rating: PG  Year: 2004  Buy: Video, Soundtrack

Keith Uhlich

Keith Uhlich's writing has been published in The Hollywood Reporter, BBC, and Reverse Shot, among other publications. He is a member of the New York Film Critics Circle.

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