A homeless man’s search for his lost dog brings him an unexpected friendship with a young boy and a renewed purpose in life.
Daniel (Diarmaid Murtagh) sleeps rough in a deserted lock-up. He lives an insular existence, anonymous amidst the busy day-to-day flow of the city. Very much an outsider there is a real and intense sense of isolation from the outset, his only companionship being with his dog Bruno, all other interactions with society being minimal.
His sole friend and sometime employer Malik (Seun Shote) treats him as an equal, coming to his aid on several occasions and helping him on his search. It is through him that we gain further insight into Daniel, to accept him as an individual with a history and a very different life previous to his current predicament.
Malik is the voice of reason, generous with his support and advice. He is also our vantage point between these two different lifestyles. We come to learn he has his own questionable past, with faults he fully accepts and has come to terms with, becoming all the wiser for it. Shote plays the role with authentic truth and gravitas. The rest of the cast also perform well and have good on-screen chemistry. None were overplayed or cliched to the point of distraction, nor was the dialogue overwritten, which also helped a great deal.
Although Daniel’s frustration and anger with the system are understandable, his hostile reticence and surly demeanour make it difficult to root for him at first. With the disappearance of Bruno, we feel sympathy rather than any deeper empathy, a feeling which is not assuaged by his originally curt dismissal of runaway child Izzy (Woody Norman). Daniel, instead of promptly recognising the child’s vulnerability, and acting responsibly, shows more concern for his dog.
But, as the relationship develops, the importance of finding Izzy overrides that of seeking Bruno, and the two end up searching together. We see moments of tenderness as their interdependence develops. Izzy’s naiveté and upbeat attitude make a good contrast to the sullen, disparaging Daniel. Norman expresses a wide-eyed innocence with a guileless, refreshingly optimistic outlook.
Karl Golden’s drama effectively illustrates the loneliness and isolation of homelessness and shows just how anyone can end up in such a situation. Daniel’s journey, although told disjointedly at times, does see him going through significant change and direction in his life. It’s a conclusion worth staying for, despite wrapping up a little too neatly.
Warmhearted drama of companionship on the streets
Movie title: Bruno
Movie description: A homeless man’s search for his lost dog brings him an unexpected friendship with a young boy and a renewed purpose in life.
Date published: July 24, 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Duration: 94 minutes
Director(s): Karl Golden
Actor(s): Diarmaid Murtagh, Woody Norman, Seun Shote, Scarlett Alice Johnson
Genre: Drama
Thomas is a musician, writer and film enthusiast with a broad taste in films, from Big Night to The Big Combo. When he isn’t immersed in these activities his passions extend to the kitchen and food.
