"Susie's Hope" Movie Review and Giveaway

I already half wrote this review but am starting over. Instead of trying to tell you what this movie's about I'm just going to cut and paste the official write up and then I'll tell you what I thought about it.

Based on the true story that successfully passed Susie’s Law in North Carolina, which seeks stricter punishment for animal abusers, Susie’s Hope brings to life the inspirational relationship between pit bull attack survivor Donna Lawrence and Susie, a pit bull-mix puppy found beaten, burned and left for dead. Recognizing neglect and abuse were to blame for the tragic attack that nearly claimed her life 10 months earlier, Donna rescues the battered animal and accepts her as family. Together, they learn to heal, love and forgive as they lead a historic effort to seek justice and protection, not only for Susie, but all animals.

I hate to say anything negative about a movie that made me cry in parts and that is based on a true story - especially a true story that resulted in laws being made better but...but...

Maybe I just don't get it because I'm not a save-the-animal-at-all-cost type of person. Or maybe it's because I'm not a my-dog-comes-before-my-husband type of person, but I have to say, I felt slightly frustrated by Donna, the main character, throughout a good chunk of this movie. The husband gets kicked out of the bed for the sake of the dog, and she agrees to pay $17,000 for vet bills without even consulting him! This is our heroine? Plus, the way the movie has her always talking to her other dog, Babygirl, makes her seem unstable to begin with. I know lots of people talk to their animals, I talk to our hamster, but in the movie, it's ridiculous. (I wonder if it was artistic license and a way to sneak in plot exposition. Either way, it got old.)

On the other hand, I applaud anyone who is willing to work for better laws and the animal abuse law in N. Carolina did need changing. No jail time for animal torturers? Crazy. Thankfully, that's now in the past. Plus, I honestly did cry during a few scenes. The woman who played Donna, was very compelling and I felt myself ache for a woman who suffered a miscarriage because of the dog attack. At other times though, I thought the movie could have cut out quite a bit of time spent on showing Donna getting comfort from Babygirl. I watched it with my husband and three kids and they all felt the same way.

I have a copy of this movie to give away. Want your name in the draw? Leave a comment below and you're in. The draw will be held December 9th, 2014. Good luck



"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”