Apple of My Eye is an entertaining and educational look into the world of guide animals. The straight-to-DVD feature ends abruptly. Not cliffhanger-style or in ambiguity, as if asking the audience to ponder a larger truth. The film just ends, like the producers ran out of time or money and never shot the last 20 pages of script.
It's no loss. The movie's main conflict-whether Bailey (Avery Arendes) can bond with a guide animal-is over the moment she meets miniature horse Apple. It's love at first sight, and the rest of the movie is spent integrating Apple into the family. Being a family-friendly film, this happens with few hiccups.
Apple is adorable, but a one trick pony. Anyone expecting a typical "animal" movie with cute stunts and homewrecking will be disappointed. Apple spends her time (yes, Apple is a filly) walking with Bailey and lying down. She performs one stunt. However, as the movie points out, guide dogs (or horses) are working animals-not pets-and should not be treated as such.
Much of the film was shot in cooperation with, and on location at Southeastern Guide Dogs near Tampa, Florida. As a result, Apple of My Eye often feels like a promotional video for the center. That's not bad. The film teaches us a lot about visual impairment, braille, guide animals, their training and their function.
The film boasts a veteran cast, led by Burt Reynolds. He plays Charlie, the center's fatherly director. Amy Smart is Bailey's overworked mom Caroline. Liam McIntyre is unemployed dad Jason. AJ Michalka and Jack Griffo are employees, though sadly Michalka is underutilized.
Apple of My Eye sheds light on an important issue while slipping a sizeable amount of education into an easy to watch 84-minute package. We never notice we're in school. We're too busy watching the adorable Apple.
Review of Apple of My Eye
