MOVIE REVIEW
American Cats: The Good, the Bad, and the Cuddly
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 28m
Director(s): Todd G. Bieber
Where To Watch: world premiere at the 2024 Hot Docs International Documentary Festival; for more information, visit www.pawproject.org

RAVING REVIEW: Director Todd Bieber blends investigative journalism with lightheartedness in AMERICAN CATS: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE CUDDLY, leading viewers through the murky waters of the billion-dollar cat declawing industry. This documentary is a movement meant to galvanize pet owners and animal lovers with its poignant message. I promise this documentary will stick with you forever… “like herpes.” (if you know, you know)

Amy Hoggart is at the true heart of this narrative, bringing her signature style, humor, and wit to the screen, making complex issues accessible and engaging. As she dissects the for-profit declawing industry, Hoggart reveals the physical and psychological scars left on pets and the ethical wounds inflicted on the community that cares for them. Her journey helps expose the paradox within veterinary circles, where professionals meant to protect animal well-being are complicit in perpetuating their suffering for profit.

The film combines serious topics with lighter, heartfelt moments, largely thanks to Hoggart’s approach to discussing this topic. Her on-screen interactions with various cats offer a gentle contrast to the weightier themes, providing a well-rounded viewing experience that resonates with a diverse audience (even those like myself who aren’t huge fans of cats.) Her straightforward, insightful commentary cuts through the medical jargon, laying bare the truths with a sharpness that only a dose of humor can help to achieve.

AMERICAN CATS tackles the influential lobby (another reason lobbying should be illegal) behind declawing, unraveling the web of misinformation that presents this cruel procedure as a benign necessity. The documentary advocates for humane alternatives to manage feline behaviors, pushing the narrative towards solutions that honor animals as more than just property without resorting to irreversible harm.

AMERICAN CATS is poised to spark significant conversations about pet care ethics on a grand stage at this year's Hot Docs Film Festival. This festival, renowned for showcasing transformative documentaries, provides the perfect backdrop for a film that challenges viewers to rethink how they treat their animal companions. This film must be discussed; people must get upset and push for changes on any level they can. As mentioned above, I’m not a big fan of cats, but no animal deserves to be mutilated to “preserve furniture.” If you can’t handle living with a cat, don’t get a cat.

The 90-minute runtime of AMERICAN CATS is packed with compelling content that invites the audience to engage in a deeper dialogue about responsibility, empathy, and ethical treatment of animals. It advocates for a shift in perceptions and practices concerning pet care.

AMERICAN CATS: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE CUDDLY stands out in documentary filmmaking as a light for animal advocacy. By marrying Amy Hoggart’s charismatic delivery with in-depth journalism, the film educates and motivates change, ensuring the discussion on animal rights extends far beyond its time on screen. This documentary calls for compassion and change in how we care for our feline friends, set against a backdrop of humor and stark reality that will captivate and educate its viewers.

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[photo courtesy of CLAWSON & CLAWSON CINEMATICS, LLC]

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