A film with Mark Wahlberg doing what he can to fulfill a dream is one that resembles a role that fits him faithfully in Arthur the King. With Wahlberg (in real-life) as one who works out consistently and so multiple times a day, the perseverance path of success is the enthralling fragment of Arthur the King. Its foundation has moments of repetition and faith along the lines of athletics and being a winner. The other half of the film tends to fall to a blur. The personality of Wahlberg’s character, determined and frustrated for achievements remains in staying persistent in Arthur the King. The film does have inspiration in terms of personality. It is just the pattern of connection in achieving a dream is not as patriotic.

The film is based on the non-fiction novel Arthur-The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home. Wahlberg plays Mikael Lindnord. Mikael is set to establish a dream of completing a race that is over four-hundred miles long along the Dominic Republic. A race of obstruction of treacherous dangers. Mikael believes that he can do this race. His wife Helena (played by Juliet Rylance) supports Michael’s dream. With Michael’s past of not having the best race results, sponsorship begins as a struggle for him. With luck though, his friend Liam (played by Simu Liu) teams up with Mikael and they do embark on this perilous adventure of a race—a competition of physical damage and many loops to complete. With the race having its moments of hardship and aggravation, a dog follows Mikael. The dog saves Mikael and his team from moments of dangers the dogs alertness keeps the endurance of Mikael to accomplish his ethics. Mikael names the dog Arthur. That is why the film is titled Arthur the King.

Once the dog enters the theme of the film, there is that interpretation that the dog is the full-on hero of the race. That is true in some circumstances. The approach of Arthur though, does not enter the film until later in the film…much later that the film even makes its audience forget that it is the title is geared on a dog. The film goes through the hurdles of the rough terrain of competition than emphasizing Arthur. The moving parts of adrenaline and endurance navigate the faith of winning over Arthur’s presence. Expect a lot more excitement from Wahlberg’s performance over having empathy for Arthur the dog.

The film is in the context of a race for sacrifice, and a race for connection. There Mikael finds empathy for Arthur in the moments of the dangers of the competition. I felt more empathy for Arthur over the film’s main character. That is more because I felt sorry by the lack of presence that is put into the focus of Arthur in the film. Too much Wahlberg finding his moments of achievement over the dog being the hero. The hero of the film is the neutrality of how its continuity flows. That is because with the lacking characterizations I found there must be praise for both the dog and Wahlberg.

The film does leave the trail of deep thinking. Who is more important? Mikael or Arthur? Who is a true hero making it to the finish line properly? There is not much of a king premise, more of a get through a situation premise. One that finds its components to think poetically and is rushed for an empathetic path. It does not do justice, but there is inspiration in the eyes of Wahlberg’s performance. Two out of four stars for Arthur the King.