The trailer for Year of the Dog suggests an indie rom-com, a quirkier version of Must Love Dogs – single gal, unlucky in love, loses dog and finds romance with its best friend. How bemused this viewer was when the credits rolled and the general atmosphere in the theatre was that of… gloom.

In Mike White’s directorial debut, the feelgood message of School of Rock is a doggone memory. If PETA tried to make an inspirational video, the result might resemble this movie. Molly Shannon plays Peggy, an office worker whose life revolves around her pet beagle, Pencil. One night, Pencil ingests something unfortunate and promptly expires, and Peggy’s world is altered forever. She tries dating. She takes on a new pet. She turns to veganism. Eventually she has a complete nervous breakdown, leading to her destroying her sister-in-law’s furs, turning her own house into a kennel, and getting fired from her job.

If you’re not sure how this plot outline would translate to the screen, the answer is: awkwardly. Shannon is terrifically deadpan at the right moments, but the film struggles to find its footing, and the resolution treads on this side of implausible, striking a false note that lets down all the performances of the rest of the cast. Regina King sparkles as Peggy’s assertive best friend, and John C. Reilly and Peter Sarsgaard, as Peggy’s potential love interests, are hilarious character sketches. As for the dogs? Well, they are darling. Everything is shot as if lit by the brightest sunshine, and a variety of farm animals also make an appearance, so for fans of the four-legged, Year of the Dog may be a visual delight. Just don’t expect to walk out feeling upbeat and fuzzy – if you’re looking for a happy canine movie, try Firehouse Dog.

2*