My Life as a Dog
1985 · Movie · Unrated · 102 min · ★ 7.2 · 91% critics
In late-1950s Sweden, a young boy copes by comparing his life to others who seem worse off. When he’s sent to live with relatives after his family situation shifts, he finds new routines, new people, and a different way to make sense of growing up.
Based on My Life as a Dog
Where to watch
Streaming on HBO Max, Kanopy and The Criterion Channel — or rent from $3.99.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Original title
- Mitt liv som hund
- Years
- 1985
- Release date
- 1985-12-12
- Language
- Swedish
- Rated
- Unrated
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Critic score
- 91/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.2/10 (294 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this tender, funny coming-of-age story from Sweden if you like grounded adolescence and emotional reflections; Not for you if you want big drama twists, prefer lighter feel-good stories, or are sensitive to child-leaning content like My Life as a Dog.
Pros: warm, realistic coming-of-age; strong child performance; funny moments with heart | Cons: sometimes overly ordinary; melancholic balance; language barrier
Themes
- underdog
- based on novel or book
- sweden
- uncle
- loneliness
- rural area
- dog
- transsexual
- tomboy
- 1950s
- boxing
Awards & recognition
- Bodil Award — Best Non-American Film · 1987
- Robert Award — Best Non-American Film · 1987
- Greta · 1985
- Guldbagge Award — Best Film · 1985
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1988 · nominated
Show all 6 awards →
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1988 · nominated
Cast & crew
Anton Glanzelius
as Ingemar Johansson
Tomas von Brömssen
as Ingemar's Uncle Gunnar
Anki Lidén
as Ingemar's Mother
Melinda Kinnaman
as Saga
- KR
Kicki Rundgren
as Gunnar's Wife Ulla
Lennart Hjulström
as The Artist
Ing-Marie Carlsson
as Berit
- LE
Leif Ericson
as Uncle Sandberg
Christina Carlwind
as Mrs. Sandberg
Ralph Carlsson
as Harry
Directed by Lasse Hallström