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Plot Summary


Former Marine Jackson Briggs is determined to rejoin the military after being discharged due to a severe brain injury and ongoing seizures. With the support of his supervisor, Captain Jones, he gets a chance to redeem himself. However, this comes with a condition: he must transport a female Belgian Shepherd named Lulu to Nogales for the funeral of her handler, Riley, who tragically passed away in a car accident.

Lulu is known for her aggressive behavior and has no suitable home, meaning that after the funeral, she faces euthanasia at White Sands base. As part of his mission, Briggs receives Riley’s belongings to return to his family, including Lulu’s “Love Me Book,” a diary kept by soldiers. He’s also warned to avoid touching her sensitive ears. With Lulu improperly contained, their journey begins—a challenging 1500-mile trek. Instead of heading directly to the funeral, Briggs opts to embrace the trip’s adventure.

Their escapades start when Briggs visits a shooting range, inadvertently leaving Lulu alone in the car. She breaks out, causing chaos in the vehicle, leading him to tranquilize her with a sausage treat. Later that evening, Briggs encounters two women, Bella and Zoe, at a bar, leaving the still groggy Lulu in the car. When Lulu wakes up and barks, a bystander mistakenly assumes she’s being abused, resulting in a rock being thrown at the car, provoking Lulu to attack.

Continuing their journey, Briggs engages in a heartfelt monologue with Lulu, recognizing that both of them are seen as liabilities to the army. When Lulu breaks free and injures herself, Briggs follows her trail to a pot farm where he meets Gus, who mistakenly believes Briggs is after his weed stash. After a tense encounter, Gus’s wife, Tamara, assists in treating Lulu’s injury, surprising Briggs with Lulu’s calm demeanor.

Driven by misgivings, Briggs stops at a luxury hotel under the pretense of being blind, allowing him and the dog to stay for free. However, chaos ensues when Lulu escapes and attacks a guest, which leads to a frustrating series of misunderstandings with the police. Briggs finds himself detained over suspicion but ultimately they are released after explaining Lulu’s background.

Despite his family’s reluctance to see him, Briggs takes a detour to visit his ex-wife Niki and their young daughter. He learns from Noah, Lulu’s brother’s handler, that his struggles echo those he faced with Nuke, a dog he ultimately adopted. Together with Lulu, they recover stolen belongings but face challenges when their vehicle breaks down during the storm.

As the storm pounds outside, Briggs confronts his own demons while comforting a frightened Lulu. The following morning, they embark on their final journey to the funeral. After a heartwarming ride with a stranger, they arrive just in time. Briggs allows Lulu her freedom near her former owner’s shoes but is unable to part with her. Instead, he returns to her side, revealing a newfound bond.

Briggs delivers Riley’s belongings to his grieving family and later speaks to Captain Jones about Lulu’s changed behavior, passionately advocating for her life. Faced with their emotional ties, Briggs ultimately frees Lulu in the prairies—yet, she refuses to leave. After a sleep cycle interrupted by a seizure, he discovers the profound connection they share; Lulu remains by his side, reassuring him during his struggles.

At White Sands base, he hand over Lulu to a young Corporal but begs for a re-evaluation of her fate. Overwhelmed by their bond, he decides against leaving Lulu behind, choosing instead to adopt her. The film concludes with a poignant scene of Briggs and Lulu overlooking the sea, where he expresses heartfelt gratitude to Lulu for saving his life, encapsulating their transformative journey together.

Timeline


Jackson's Discharge

Former Marine Jackson Briggs is discharged from the military due to a severe brain injury and ongoing seizures. Despite his condition, he remains determined to rejoin the military service, striving for redemption.

Mission Assignment

Briggs receives a new assignment from Captain Jones, which gives him a chance to redeem himself. He must transport a female Belgian Shepherd named Lulu to Nogales for the funeral of her late handler, Riley.

Nogales

The Challenge with Lulu

Briggs learns that Lulu exhibits aggressive behavior and has no suitable home. If he fails in his mission, Lulu faces the grim fate of euthanasia at White Sands base after the funeral.

White Sands base

The Journey Begins

Briggs sets off on a challenging 1500-mile journey with Lulu, starting with a stop at a shooting range. But the adventure takes an unexpected turn when he inadvertently leaves Lulu alone in the car.

Shooting Range

Chaos at the Bar

After tranquilizing Lulu with a sausage treat, Briggs encounters two women at a bar. However, chaos erupts when Lulu unexpectedly wakes up and barks, prompting a bystander to initiate a misunderstanding.

Bar

The Pot Farm Encounter

Lulu breaks free and injures herself during their journey. Following her trail, Briggs encounters a pot farmer named Gus, who initially suspects him of stealing his stash, leading to a tense standoff.

Pot Farm

Luxury Hotel Shenanigans

In a bid to find shelter, Briggs checks into a luxury hotel pretending to be blind. However, chaos ensues when Lulu escapes and attacks a guest, resulting in misunderstandings that attract police attention.

Luxury Hotel

Visit to Ex-Wife

Taking a detour, Briggs visits his ex-wife Niki and their young daughter. Here, he learns more about Lulu from Noah, a fellow handler, and realizes how their struggles resemble each other's challenges.

Stormy Challenges

Their journey hits a snag when their vehicle breaks down in a storm. As the storm rages outside, Briggs finds himself confronting his demons while comforting a frightened Lulu inside the vehicle.

Arriving at the Funeral

After braving the storm, Briggs and Lulu finally make it to the funeral. They share a heartwarming ride with a stranger and arrive just in time to say their final goodbyes to Riley.

Funeral

Delivering Riley's Belongings

Briggs compassionately delivers Riley's belongings to his grieving family at the funeral. In this moment, he reflects on Lulu's changed behavior and the bond he has developed with her throughout their journey.

Freedom for Lulu?

Faced with the dilemma of Lulu's future, Briggs contemplates freeing her in the prairies. To his surprise, Lulu refuses to leave despite his attempt to part ways, signifying their deep emotional connection.

Prairies

Connection with Lulu

After experiencing an interrupted sleep cycle marked by a seizure, Briggs acknowledges the profound bond he shares with Lulu. She remains by his side, providing comfort during his struggles.

Decision at White Sands

At White Sands base, Briggs attempts to hand over Lulu to a young Corporal but is overwhelmed by their growing bond. He bravely requests a reevaluation of Lulu's fate, reflecting his desire to keep her safe.

White Sands base

A New Beginning

Ultimately, Briggs decides to adopt Lulu, solidifying their bond. The film concludes with a poignant scene of the two overlooking the sea, where he thanks Lulu for saving his life, marking a transformative journey together.

By the Sea

Characters


Jackson Briggs (Channing Tatum)

Jackson Briggs is a former Marine grappling with the consequences of a severe brain injury and the desire to prove his worth. Determined yet flawed, he embarks on a mission to transport Lulu, and through his journey, he confronts his vulnerabilities and fosters an unexpected bond with the dog.

👨‍✈️ Veteran 🐕 Dog Lover 🌪️ Resilient

Lulu

Lulu is a female Belgian Shepherd, known for her aggressive behavior and tragic past. Throughout the journey, she represents loyalty and resilience, evolving from a troubled dog facing euthanasia to becoming a symbol of hope and redemption for Briggs.

🐶 Rescue Dog 🥺 Emotional 🤝 Companion

Zoe (Nicole LaLiberte)

Zoe is a character introduced during Briggs' adventure who unwittingly adds to the humor and complications of his journey. Her interactions with Briggs offer light-hearted moments amidst the serious themes of the film, reflecting different perspectives on relationships.

💃 Barfly 🎉 Fun-loving 🥂 Social

Captain Jones

Captain Jones is a supportive figure in Briggs' life, giving him the opportunity to redeem himself. He embodies the military's structured support system and represents the guidance needed during times of crisis.

👮‍♂️ Authority 🎖️ Supportive 🔑 Mentor

Setting


Time period

The film’s narrative does not specify a distinct time period but resonates with themes common in contemporary stories of redemption and personal growth. The events occur in a modern setting where characters confront their past traumas and relationships, mirroring current societal issues regarding veterans and their mental health.

Location

Nogales, White Sands base, luxury hotel, pot farm

The story unfolds across various significant locations, starting in Nogales, where a funeral takes place amidst the backdrop of a desert landscape. White Sands base represents a military environment, tying the characters' struggles to their past. The luxury hotel serves as a comedic yet chaotic setting where misunderstandings arise, while the pot farm highlights unconventional encounters during the journey.

🏜️ Desert 🌊 Sea 🏨 Hotel 🚧 Farm

Themes


🐾

Redemption

Redemption is a central theme, with Jackson Briggs seeking to prove himself worthy after a traumatic injury. His journey with Lulu reflects a parallel struggle for both characters as they navigate their emotional scars and develop a strong bond, signifying personal healing.

❤️

Connection

The connection between Briggs and Lulu deepens throughout their adventure, highlighting the healing power of companionship. Their relationship evolves from one of necessity to profound emotional support, showcasing how mutual care can shape lives.

🎖️

Military Struggles

The film touches on the challenges faced by veterans, addressing issues of trauma, reintegration, and the sacrifices made in service. It portrays not only Briggs' difficulties but also the pressing need for compassion and understanding towards those affected by military experiences.

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