777 Charlie and My Experience

777 Charlie and My Experience

Film on-screen to film off-screen

(Careful, spoilers ahead)

I have been going back and forth for more than an hour now. My incertitude does not lie in the discomposure of my thoughts, for my thoughts are quite coherent this time. I know what I want to write. I am just dithering about how to begin writing what I want to write. Whether I begin with narrating my filmy story of how I happened to watch the film, or shall I describe how my relationship with dogs have fared so far in 2022. I believe I will begin with the former because as far as my equation with dogs is concerned, the wounds are still fresh.

So.. a week ago my friend told me that they wanted to surprise me by taking me to watch a film that I cannot possibly guess. I was pretty sure that we’d be watching Jurassic Park, probably in 4DX-3D. They kept on building the excitement level, and I played along. Today, as I sat on my seat in a moderately well crowded theatre, I wondered where the 3D glasses were. My friend assured me that the staff will ‘distribute’ them soon, but the film had already started. I was surprised to see Jurassic Park paying tribute to Indian actors! I told myself that there must be some kind of collaboration, let’s be patient and watch Jurassic Park. But then, what did I see..dogs, in a deleterious setting and a man who looks like a villain with every possible vice! And then it hit me. It wasn’t Jurassic Park. It was 777 Charlie!

Weeks ago when I saw the film’s teaser, I liked it. But, I knew I couldn’t watch it. I don’t have a strong heart when it comes to animals. The film began, credits rolled, and we saw a puppy straight out of a celestial world with a pair of happy-sad eyes. I did not know what to feel, how to feel. I saw her walking through the streets, searching for food, getting kicked by people, and I began to cry. And, dear lord! How much did I cry! I am a movie watcher who cries watching every good film. If it’s a good comedy, I would cry just thinking, ‘Wow, the makers really know their craft.’ Long story short, I am a crybaby. But things are at a different league when it comes to animals, especially dogs. I cry at their mention. I cry by just thinking about them. My friend knew this. And yet they tricked me into watching this film that is all about a dog! I wondered if they were playing a prank. I even thought that they wanted to take revenge and would leave me alone in the hall to choke on my tears. But a part of me was aware that my friend knew that I do not have what it takes to watch a dog film, and maybe they did not want me to miss it.

Honestly, there was not a single moment in the film where I did not cry. From the beginning to the end credits, and 5 minutes after it, I kept wailing like a baby who just wanted to be held and told that it is okay, everything will be okay, Charlie is okay, every dog in the world is okay. But the truth is far from this. It was never a question if I would like 777 Charlie. The film had a dog! A dog that looks like all of my favourite dreams. Of course, a film like this is universally likable. Interestingly, at various instances I could relate to both Dharma (Charlie’s papa) and Charlie. Just like Dharma whose life had a 180 degree turn when a dog entered his life, my life too changed for good when I adopted Lucky in 2016. The first half was fun but I won’t deny that I kept crying through the funny scenes as well. The second half was like a divine journey that you do not want to end. Each and every scene was gut wrenching, and at many instances I felt I cannot take it anymore. Dharma’s pain and desperation was so heart piercing that it would remind everyone who has lost a loved one. In the moments of wretchedness and in desperation for a miracle, how an atheist turns to gods, how a man oblivion to emotions wails and howls for his baby. I could not help but remember my such moments, how I was rendered helpless, hollowed out, praying for a miracle. The film brought back a painful past. When I began writing this, I thought I would give words to my pain. But, maybe tonight is not the night. Charlie’s irrevocable love for her parent (like every dog) was just as triggering as it kept on ringing in my head the rhetoric of selfless and unconditional love, and loyalty. I asked myself, why do I love like a dog loves? More vanity later.

Continuing with the film… I do not want to single out scenes as every scene, every emotion, every frame has been engraved on my heart. Charlie’s eyes, Charlie’s thank you’s, Charlie’s hugs, Charlie asking for pats, Charlie’s heartbreak while parting with Dharma’s bike, Charlie’s heartbreak to see her parent helpless with the cruelty of circumstances. Everything is etched in my heart. I found it noteworthy how the film drew a parallel between the loyalty that dogs possess, and disloyalty that humans do with the subtle mention of Charlie Junior’s-father’s-mother’s infidelity. Humans can be shit. But then, there are good humans like Dharma who stick with the one they love till the very end.

The end of the film was empyrean albeit heartbreakingly sad. Everything about the scene, be it the top notch performances, cinematography, direction, execution was godly (sad god, of course). Though I am happy that the film ended on a hopeful and a happy note with a new beginning, my heart was still in the thoughts of Charlie. Angelic, precious Charlie. It is interesting that back in college, everytime we watched a film I would ask my professors to give me some time before I give my ‘valuable’ points, as I needed some time to ‘process’ the film. But today, I did not want to process anything. I wanted to jot down my emotions raw, without any superficialness and over-cooked thoughts. 

It doesn’t matter what you think about dogs. Watch 777 Charlie. And if you’re still buying fancy dogs, don’t. Please read and educate yourself about it. Watch the film and understand the importance of adopting a fur baby.

A dog changes your life, for good. Makes you a better person.

If you’re lucky, a dog will come to your life. Only if you’re lucky. Guess I am Lucky as I have a Lucky.

PS, Thank you, my friend for this. I will always cherish the surprise.