Fantasia International Film Festival 2023 – Writer/director Charlie Bellarose achieved a real feat with her short Jacques. She created a well-crafted horror comedy that’s all kinds of funny. Oh, and the dog, Jacques (Jack Cockapoo), absolutely steals the show.

Other than the adorable pooch, the short also stars Bellarose as herself. She encounters Jacques in a shelter after its former owner gives the Cockapoo the boot due to its barking. Jacques then wanders the California desert, somehow surviving on its own, but gets locked in a kennel by a heartless animal controller (Jamel King). However, from the minute the dog sees and hears Charlie’s boots clicking down the hallway and then offers her its paw behind the cage, it’s love at first sight. They do everything together, and I mean everything. They’re each other’s world.

The short veers into horror once Charlie starts dating the mean old animal controller, who essentially replaces her beloved dog as the most important one in Charlie’s life. The dog plans its revenge to ensure it’s the only focus in Charlie’s life.  Bill Dawes, the narrator, gives voice to Jacques’ feelings and adds additional humor. Further, Bellarose has a knack for smart framing that makes him look so heartwarming that you’d never think the dog could ever commit harm. To be clear, however, this movie never reaches Cujo territory. Instead, it sticks with its light-hearted tone, but Jacques isn’t messing around. The last few minutes morph into revenge of the canine.

Overall, Jacques is a heck of a good time. Animal lovers will certainly enjoy this little film. But beware, for as adorable as this Cockapoo is, it bites.

7.5 Out of 10