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Heart of a Dog

Heart of a Dog 2015

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Heart of a Dog Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Heart of a Dog (2015). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.


In the chilly winter of 1924 Moscow, a stray dog experiences a life-altering encounter while searching for scraps. After being scalded with boiling water, he lies pitifully in a doorway, grappling with despair. His fortunes change when he meets the successful surgeon, Filipp Filippovich Preobrazhensky, who offers him a piece of sausage. Overjoyed, the dog, later named Sharik (which means “little ball”), follows the good-hearted professor back to his home, where he dreams of a life suited for a well-fed canine.

Inside the professor’s residence, Sharik becomes acquainted with the household members, including Doctor Ivan Arnoldovich Bormenthal, the professor’s adept student, alongside two female servants: Zinaida Prokofievna Bunina and Darya Petrovna Ivanova. While the professor vocally opposes communism, his skillful medical practice keeps him in the good graces of the ruling RCP(b), allowing him to maintain his spacious seven-room apartment, much to the disdain of the local housing committee represented by Schwonder.

As days pass, one of the servants takes Sharik for walks in the bustling streets of Moscow. Proudly wearing his new collar, he dismisses the jibes of passing strays. After regaining his health, Professor Preobrazhensky unveils his true purpose for adopting Sharik. He locks the dog in the bathroom as preparations begin for an unorthodox experiment. Sharik, frustrated, plots a little revenge against the professor’s stuffed owl, but his feigned aggression is cut short when he is pulled into the laboratory.

In the lab, a groundbreaking surgery commences. With Bormenthal’s assistance, Preobrazhensky trepans Sharik’s skull, implanting a human pituitary gland. The operation involves grafting human testicles onto him, sourced from a deceased petty criminal with a reputation for violence and indulgence in vices. As adrenaline shots keep Sharik alive throughout the procedure, the narrative shifts perspectives, revealing the aftermath of the operation.

Weeks later, the household watches, astonished, as Sharik begins to transform into a disheveled, initially primitive human being. He adopts the absurd name “Poligraf Poligrafovich Sharikov,” a name he cheekily chooses himself, playing off a connection to printing. The attempts by Preobrazhensky and Bormenthal to inculcate standards of decency in their new tenant yield humorous yet frustrating results, as Sharikov openly scoffs at the notions of etiquette, opting instead for a crude manner of living.

Sharikov brings chaos into the once orderly home. At one point, his antics lead to a flooded apartment when he inadvertently turns on a tap during an ill-advised chase after a cat. His erratic behaviors escalate, culminating in a disturbing episode where he attempts to assault one of the female servants. This prompts Bormenthal to chastise him physically, leading Sharikov to storm out for a few days.

In a moment of desperation, Bormenthal implores Preobrazhensky for the means to eliminate Sharikov, whom he derisively labels “a man with the heart of a dog.” However, the professor stands firm against this suggestion, attributing Sharikov’s unbecoming behavior to the origins of his human parts from a wayward drunkard and expressing his belief in the value of all life, regardless of its flaws.

Soon after, Sharikov returns, boasting about securing a job with the Soviet government, which involves catching stray cats—a task he proudly announces as a contribution to the proletariat’s needs. He then shocks the professor by introducing a female coworker as his common-law wife, a revelation that devastates the woman when she learns the truth of his genesis.

The narrative crescendos as Sharikov, emboldened, makes a grave error by denouncing the professor to the secret police. Preobrazhensky’s friend in the party reassures him, suggesting that given Sharikov’s dubious character, he has little to fear. However, upon returning, Sharikov defiantly brandishes a weapon, leading to a violent confrontation.

In the ensuing quiet of the apartment, after Sharikov’s ouster, a notable change occurs: Preobrazhensky and Bormenthal find comfort and relief absent of the chaos Sharikov had brought into their lives. Eventually, the police arrive with a search warrant, insisting on locating him. Unfazed, the professor commands Bormenthal to summon Sharikov, who is ironically in the process of reverting to his canine form.

The transformation concludes as Sharik returns to his rightful status as a well-tended gentleman’s dog. Yet, an ambiguous final note lingers—Sharik hints at the professor’s experiments continuing, possibly indicating the remnants of his human memory or future plans to explore the depths of human evolution further.

Heart of a Dog Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Heart of a Dog (2015) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.


Encounter in Moscow

In the frosty winter of 1924, a stray dog roams the streets of Moscow in search of food. His unfortunate encounter with boiling water leaves him in pain, lying helplessly in a doorway as despair takes hold of him.

1924 Moscow

Meeting the Professor

Sharik's fortunes change when he meets the kind surgeon Filipp Filippovich Preobrazhensky. Offered a piece of sausage, Sharik joyously follows the professor to his home, hoping for a better life ahead.

Professor's residence, Moscow

New Household

Once inside the professor's spacious apartment, Sharik is introduced to the household members, including Doctor Ivan Arnoldovich Bormenthal and two female servants. The contrast between his past and new life begins to take shape.

Professor's residence, Moscow

Contemplating Society

Professor Preobrazhensky openly critiques communism despite his successful medical practice. His position shields him from the scrutiny of the ruling RCP(b), providing a glimpse into the socio-political climate of the time.

Moscow

Exploring the Streets

As Sharik gains strength, he enjoys walks around bustling Moscow, proudly wearing his new collar. He confidently dismisses the taunts of street dogs, savoring his newfound status.

Moscow

Preparations for Transformation

Professor Preobrazhensky reveals his true intentions to transform Sharik and prepares for an unusual experiment. Locked in the bathroom, Sharik plots his revenge, but is eventually drawn into the laboratory.

Laboratory, Professor's residence

Groundbreaking Surgery

The groundbreaking surgery begins as Preobrazhensky, assisted by Bormenthal, trepans Sharik's skull to implant a human pituitary gland. The combining of human traits comes from a petty criminal, leading to a life-altering procedure.

Laboratory, Professor's residence

Transformation into Sharikov

Weeks later, the household witnesses Sharik's transformation into a disheveled human being named Poligraf Poligrafovich Sharikov. His crude behavior and disregard for societal norms create humorous yet challenging situations.

Professor's residence, Moscow

Chaos in the Household

Sharikov's antics lead to chaos in the apartment, including a disastrous flood caused by his reckless behavior. His growing assertiveness culminates in a disturbing episode where he attempts to assault a servant.

Professor's residence, Moscow

Bormenthal's Desperation

In a moment of desperation, Bormenthal seeks to eliminate Sharikov, whom he calls 'a man with the heart of a dog.' Preobrazhensky resists, emphasizing the value of all life despite Sharikov's troublesome actions.

Professor's residence, Moscow

Sharikov's Ambitions

Upon returning, Sharikov boasts about his new government job catching stray cats, claiming it as a contribution to the proletariat. He introduces a female coworker as his common-law wife, much to her shock and dismay.

Moscow

Dramatic Confrontation

Emboldened by his new identity, Sharikov denounces Professor Preobrazhensky to the secret police. The situation escalates when he returns with a weapon, leading to an intense confrontation in the apartment.

Professor's residence, Moscow

Aftermath of Chaos

Following Sharikov's departure, a sense of relief envelops the household. Preobrazhensky and Bormenthal find comfort in the absence of the disorder previously brought by Sharikov's brash behavior.

Professor's residence, Moscow

Police Investigation

The tranquility is interrupted when the police arrive with a search warrant for Sharikov. Unfazed, Preobrazhensky instructs Bormenthal to find Sharikov, who ironically is transforming back into a dog.

Professor's residence, Moscow

Return to Canine Form

The transformation completes as Sharik returns to his original status as a well-tended dog. However, hints suggest that the professor’s experiments may continue, blurring the lines between his past and future.

Professor's residence, Moscow

Heart of a Dog Characters

Explore all characters from Heart of a Dog (2015). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.


Filipp Filippovich Preobrazhensky

Professor Preobrazhensky is a skilled surgeon whose ambition leads him to conduct controversial experiments on Sharik. While he embodies intellect and care, his dedication to science sometimes blinds him to the ethical implications of his actions. His character represents the tension between progressive medical advancements and moral responsibility in a rapidly changing society.

👨‍⚕️ Scientist 📚 Intellectual ⚗️ Innovator

Doctor Ivan Arnoldovich Bormenthal

Bormenthal is the capable assistant of Preobrazhensky who shares in the tumult of Sharik's transformation. He oscillates between loyalty to his mentor and frustration at the unfolding chaos brought by Sharikov. His role highlights the pressures faced by those who operate within the confines of scientific experimentation while navigating personal and ethical dilemmas.

👨‍⚕️ Assistant 🤔 Conflicted

Sharikov

Sharikov is the outrageous result of Preobrazhensky's experiment, embracing human life with unpredictable and often violent tendencies. His fast adaptation to human society reveals the absurdities of human nature while shedding light on the challenges that come with such drastic transformation. Sharikov's character oscillates between humor and menace, embodying the chaos of the narrative.

🐕‍🦺 Altered 🎭 Comedic 😬 Erratic

Heart of a Dog Settings

Learn where and when Heart of a Dog (2015) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.


Time period

1924

The year 1924 marks a significant period in Soviet history, characterized by the aftermath of the Russian Revolution. This era was marked by social and political upheaval as the Bolshevik regime consolidated power. The setting reflects the struggles of the time, where societal values are negotiated between traditional norms and the emerging influences of the communist government.

Location

Moscow

Moscow, the capital city of Russia, is known for its rich history, eclectic architecture, and vibrant culture. In the winter of 1924, the city presents a chilly backdrop, contrasting the warmth of human compassion as illustrated through the encounters of a stray dog named Sharik. The bustling streets serve as a stage for the dog's transformation and the unpredictable interactions he has within the professor's household.

🏙️ City ❄️ Winter

Heart of a Dog Themes

Discover the main themes in Heart of a Dog (2015). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.


🧠

Identity

The theme of identity is central to the narrative, as Sharik undergoes a dramatic transformation into Sharikov, a reflection of the chaotic blend of canine instincts and human traits. This duality raises questions about the nature of existence, behavior, and the essence of being. Sharikov's struggle with his own identity exposes the complexities of life's transformations and the consequences of unnatural alterations.

⚖️

Societal Chaos

The story illustrates societal chaos in the wake of scientific experimentation juxtaposed against the backdrop of a shifting political landscape. Sharikov's disruptive behavior mirrors the instability within the home and society. His ineptitude at human decency highlights the struggle to adapt and conform to cultural expectations in the face of personal transformation.

🐶

Transformation

Transformation is a key theme, represented through Sharik's metamorphosis from a dog to a flawed human and eventually back to a dog. This physical change serves as a metaphor for deeper existential questions regarding nature versus nurture and the impact of one's origins. It questions what it truly means to be civilized and the inherent nature of beings as they navigate societal constructs.

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