Rescued by Ruby review: Grant Gustin makes this ‘underdog’ story immensely watchable

Based on the real-life story of state trooper Daniel O’Neil and his shelter dog-turned-K9 unit canine Ruby, this is a classic underdog tale

Grant Gustin stars in this film based on a real-life story

Rescued By Ruby

Story: State trooper Daniel O’Neil’s (Grant Gustin) big dream is to get into the search-and-rescue K9 unit. He’s tried multiple times to get into the training class run by Matt Zarrella (Scott Wolf), who heads the K9 unit, but it doesn’t help that he’s dyslexic, hyper-active and, doesn’t have a canine yet. The department has no money to get him an imported German Shepherd for $10,000 and he’s awfully close to the cut off age of 30 to make it to the K9 unit. But when Daniel gets wind that he just needs a dog with the right temperament for the job, he decides to get one for free – at the nearest shelter – where he meets Ruby, a feisty border collie, who seems just right. But Ruby, as it turns out, has a history – she’s so hyperactive that she’s been adopted seven times and returned just as many times and Daniel comes into her life just when it seemed she had exhausted all options and needed to be put down. How the duo change each other’s life forms the rest of the narrative.

Review: Rescued by Ruby is based on the real-life story of state trooper Daniel O’Neil and his K9 unit dog Ruby, who has been serving in search and rescue for a decade. Grant Gustin, who is best known for playing Barry Allen/ Flash on the TV show The Flash, is Daniel here. Those who’ve seen Grant’s earlier work, specifically on Flash know just how adorably earnest he is. He carries that into this film too. Problem is that every now and then I expected him to change into his red outfit and burst out the door ‘in a flash’. I guess I have seen too much of him as the superfast superhero that it is quite difficult to shake that image out of my head.

Rescued by Ruby is the typical underdog story of rising above challenges to emerge victorious. So, it follows the routine formula, where things don’t go right at first but then fall beautifully into place. Ruby, played here by another rescue dog called Bear, goes from being unable to stay still for a few seconds to being one of the best sniffer dogs on the Rhode Island K9 unit. But this is not only the tale of Ruby coming into her own, but more about Daniel, who has had his fair share of trouble as a dyslexic hyper-active youngster. It’s about Daniel learning to trust Ruby and himself and the immense possibilities that lie ahead for the duo.

Although you know from the start where this story is headed, it is Grant’s earnestness that makes this sappy tale immensely watchable. Dan's understanding and supportive wife Melissa’s (played by Kaylah Zander) role in helping him and Ruby reach their full potential is also important in the tale. Just when you expect her to throw a tantrum and have Dan get rid of Ruby, she actually draws parallels between her husband and their family dog and figures out what’s best for them. It’s moments like this that warm the cockles of the heart.

Verdict: Rescued by Ruby is a good family watch if you have really young kids or a lot of dog lovers at home. It is sweet, inspiring and can even leave you misty-eyed.

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Cast and Crew

David Allan Pearson

Mr. Conant

Denis Corbett

Happy van owners

Tom McBeath

Seamus Brady

Todd Mann

Billy Two Towers

Brad Mann

Tommy Two Towers

Kameron Bodaly

Chris Rudolph

Giacomo Baessato

Rick McGuinness

Eileen Pedde

Sergeant Amanda Grinnell

Dan Angel

Sharon Taylor

Sam

Camille Sullivan

Pat Inman

Grant Gustin

Dan

Scott Wolf

Matt Zarrella

Stephen Adekolu

Father

Jude Culham-Keays

Michael

Adam Gillese

Big Wheel Kid

Ahmed Shawky Shaheen

Officer

Yolanda Corbett

Happy van owners

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