A young urban family spends summers on an idyllic island. When an abandoned, mangy mutt wanders onto the property, the dad alerts Animal Control - but the children beg to keep the dog. A compromise is reached: the kids can nurse FRANK back to health, but must put him up for adoption when summer is over. As he regains his strength, Frank risks his life to bring the family together...
Acting
Jon Gries as the checked-out dad hitting unexpected emotional beats.
Practical Effects
Frank himself — one magnificently scruffy real dog doing real dog things.
Director
Douglas Cheney
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Britt Robertson's feature debut at age 13 — she's the daughter who gets the least screen time but nails every reaction shot.
Shot on location in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the island setting is actually a real summer community where families have returned for generations — the 'idyllic but fragile' vibe is baked into the location itself.
US
