A terminally ill Vietnam veteran finds solace and purpose in rescuing an abused dog, rediscovering the meaning of life, and the profound power of companionship. Here is our review of writer and director Joey Medina’s Roxy And The Man.
According to the ASPCA, senior dogs typically aged seven years and older are adopted at significantly lower rates than younger dogs, with only about 25% finding homes compared to 60% for puppies and younger dogs. Roxy & The Man, a 28-minute short written and directed by Joey Medina, is a tender drama that highlights this discrepancy and feels like it has stepped straight out of the Hallmark Channel’s line-up. At its heart lies a simple but emotionally resonant story Jesus Ramirez (Paul Rodriguez), a terminally ill Vietnam veteran and former boxer, rescues an abused Boxer dog named Roxy and in turn, Roxy rescues him. An old boxer adopts an old boxer; subtlety is not what this film is about.
Visually, the film embraces a soft, warmly lit aesthetic that perfectly fits its sentimental tone. Cinematographer Steven Rimlinger bathes the story in golden light and even, cosy framing. This isn’t a gritty urban drama it’s told in comforting hues and safe images, a choice that clearly signals its intent to be uplifting rather than challenging. That gentle visual style is matched by Svetlana Krylova’s piano-based score. The music flows quietly beneath the dialogue, accentuating emotion without overwhelming it. Simple and restrained, the melodies mirror the central relationship.
The film’s strongest asset is Rodriguez’s understated and believable performance, delivering a quiet, lived-in portrayal of a man who has come to terms with the end of his life but still longs for connection. His scenes with Roxy are the film’s emotional anchor. The bond between man and dog feels genuine, and the camera wisely lingers on their small, intimate moments together sharing food, taking walks, finding comfort in each other’s presence.
The supporting cast adds depth without distracting from the main relationship. Andrea Pazmino brings warmth as Carmen, Jesus’s constantly worried yet extremely loving daughter, while Jodi Miller & Steven Briggs effectively embody Roxy’s selfish and uncaring prior owners whose neglect sets the story in motion, their roles are small but remain memorable.
If there’s a weakness, it lies in the predictability of the script. The lonely man who finds redemption and renewed purpose through caring for an animal is a familiar story, and Medina doesn’t stray from that well-worn path. The film builds toward a heartfelt but entirely foreseeable resolution: Roxy, the once-abused dog, gives Jesus the motivation to live his remaining days with meaning and love.
For some viewers, this lack of surprise will be part of the appeal, its blend of sentiment, soft lighting, and safe storytelling can be comforting if you’re in the mood for it. For others, the absence of any risk or authentic stakes may feel like a missed opportunity.
Still, Roxy & The Man is a sincere, warmly told story anchored by a genuine central performance and supported by a fine cast, thoughtful cinematography and music. We’ve seen it all before but it speaks to and from the heart and for 28 minutes, offers a gentle reminder that even in life’s darkest moments, love whether from a person or a dog can bring everyone some light.
Leave a Reply