Dolittle

Movie Trailer

Release Date
January 17, 2020

Genre
Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Comedy

Cast & Crew

• Robert Downey Jr. as Dr. John Dolittle
• Antonio Banderas as King Rassouli
• Michael Sheen as Dr. Blair Müdfly
• Jessie Buckley as Queen Victoria
• Harry Collett as Tommy Stubbins
• Voice Cast:
  • Emma Thompson as Poly (Parrot)
  • Rami Malek as Chee-Chee (Gorilla)
  • John Cena as Yoshi (Polar Bear)
  • Kumail Nanjiani as Plimpton (Ostrich)
  • Octavia Spencer as Dab-Dab (Duck)
  • Tom Holland as Jip (Dog)
  • Ralph Fiennes as Barry (Tiger)
  • Marion Cotillard as Tutu (Fox)

Director
Stephen Gaghan

Other Movies Director is Known For

• Syriana (2005)
• Gold (2016)

Producer
Joe Roth, Jeff Kirschenbaum, Susan Downey

Writer
Stephen Gaghan, Dan Gregor, Doug Mand (screenplay), based on the character created by Hugh Lofting

Budget
Estimated at $175 million

Production Company
Universal Pictures, Perfect World Pictures, Team Downey, Roth/Kirschenbaum Films

Running Time
101 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
PG

Content Advisory

• Mild peril and action
• Some rude humor

Movie Story
Dolittle is a whimsical adventure film that reimagines the classic story of Dr. John Dolittle, a veterinarian who can communicate with animals. Set in Victorian England, the film follows Dolittle (Robert Downey Jr.) after he has retreated from the world, living in seclusion with his animal friends following the death of his beloved wife, Lily. Dolittle’s sanctuary is filled with a motley crew of animals, each with their own unique personality, brought to life by a star-studded voice cast.

Dolittle’s life of solitude is interrupted when Queen Victoria (Jessie Buckley) falls gravely ill and summons him to Buckingham Palace. The young queen’s life depends on a rare and mystical fruit from the legendary Eden Tree, believed to be the only cure. Reluctantly, Dolittle agrees to embark on a perilous journey across the seas to find the Eden Tree, accompanied by his loyal animal companions and a young apprentice, Tommy Stubbins (Harry Collett).

The journey takes them to exotic and dangerous lands, including the island ruled by King Rassouli (Antonio Banderas), Dolittle’s former father-in-law, who harbors a deep grudge against him. Along the way, Dolittle must confront old enemies, including the scheming Dr. Blair Müdfly (Michael Sheen), who seeks to sabotage his mission.

Throughout the adventure, Dolittle relies on his ability to communicate with animals, using their unique skills to overcome obstacles and navigate the dangers they encounter. The film blends action, humor, and heart, with a focus on Dolittle’s journey of healing and redemption as he learns to open his heart again.

The film’s narrative is filled with fantastical elements, including talking animals, mythical creatures, and epic battles. The interactions between Dolittle and his animal companions provide much of the film’s humor and charm, with Robert Downey Jr. delivering an eccentric and quirky performance as the titular character.

Special Effects
Dolittle is a visual spectacle, with extensive use of CGI to bring the film’s many animal characters to life. The special effects are a central part of the film, creating realistic and expressive animals that interact seamlessly with the human actors. The film’s various action sequences, including ship battles and encounters with mythical creatures, are enhanced by impressive visual effects, making the film an engaging adventure for audiences of all ages.

Box Office Performance
Despite its high budget and star-studded cast, Dolittle struggled at the box office, grossing around $251 million worldwide against its estimated $175 million budget. The film faced significant production challenges, including reshoots and creative differences, which contributed to its underwhelming performance. While it found some success with younger audiences, Dolittle was met with mixed reviews from critics, who praised the visual effects but criticized the film’s uneven tone and narrative.

Filming Locations

• London, England, UK
• Cahir Castle, County Tipperary, Ireland
• Shepperton Studios, Surrey, England, UK

Notable Quotes

• “We have no choice but to embark on this perilous journey.” – Dr. John Dolittle
• “Are you scared? Me too.” – Chee-Chee (Gorilla)
• “Somehow, we just belong together.” – Dr. John Dolittle

Behind-the-Scenes
Dolittle marked a return to family-friendly adventure for Robert Downey Jr. after his role as Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film’s production was notable for its ambitious scope, including the creation of numerous CGI animal characters and elaborate set pieces. However, the film’s development was fraught with difficulties, including extensive reshoots overseen by a different director brought in to address concerns about the film’s tone. These issues contributed to the film’s mixed reception and underperformance at the box office.

Awards

• Nominated for a Kids’ Choice Award (Favorite Movie Actor – Robert Downey Jr.)

Final Verdict
Dolittle is a visually impressive family adventure that offers light-hearted fun and a quirky performance from Robert Downey Jr. While the film’s narrative may lack depth and coherence, its charming animal characters and fantastical elements make it an enjoyable watch for younger audiences. Despite its shortcomings, Dolittle provides a visually engaging and whimsical journey that may appeal to fans of fantasy and adventure films.

IMDb Rating
5.6/10