Marley & Me

• Genre : Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance...
  
• Running time : 111min.
• Directors : David Frankel
  
• Studio : Fox 2000 Pictures
  
• Screenplay : Scott Frank, Dan Roos
  
• Cast : Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Eric Dane, Kathleen Turner..
  

I'll be the first one to admit I'm a dog lover. In fact, during my early past lives history, I've been a pup many times.

I've also never been a cat lover, but I wish felines no harm. It's just that my nature is like a mongrel; playful, sloppy, romping and loyal (I'm also a Taurus, after all) to a tee.

So with all of these attributes, it's natural that I would have more than a few good things to say about the newest family film release, "Marley and Me," starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, which is based upon the best-selling book by John Grogan.



Wilson and Aniston play John and Jennifer Grogan, newspaper reporters in South Florida and newlyweds. Instead of having children right away, though, the couple decides to experiment first by raising a floppy golden Labrador pup named "Marley" (so called because a Bob Marley song was playing on the radio of John's car).

They should have gone with twins.

Marley is a one dog destruction machine, eating them out of house and home, chewing everything that doesn't move, having amorous relations with any leg around, whining loudly when alone or during thunder storms and just generally running amok.



Marley practically destroys the house and everything in it. And when children finally come along, he causes Jennifer to forcefully demand his removal.

Of course, even though the family continues to grow, John does not want to get rid of the dog, which continues to be a nuisance, but is also fiercely loyal and protects the children from harm.

Anyone who has experienced the life span of a canine can certainly relate to this picture. Sure it's manipulative to a fault, not just tugging, but grabbing at the heartstrings on several occasions. But it's also funny, silly, frustrating and heartwarming at the same time .

Wilson and Aniston are appropriately low key as the overwhelmed pet owners and parents, while Oscar-winner Alan Arkin ("Little Miss Sunshine") adds some great support as John's gruff but soft-hearted editor.



Also look for Kathleen Turner in a hilarious cameo as an obedience trainer who has no luck whatsoever with Marley.

In addition, "Grey's Anatomy" star Eric Dane does a nice job as John's friend and co-worker, Sebastian. While John toils as a local columnist, Sebastian gets the meaty stories and is soon hired by "The New York Times." Meanwhile, John is moved from the general assignment desk to a daily column, much of which Marley provides fodder for.

Beware, though. For awhile this picture threatens to turn into a latter-day version of "Heartburn" (1987) with the shift more on the married couple's domestic squabbles as the dog seems to disappear into the background.

But thankfully those sequences do not overwhelm the purpose of the story – for very long at least.



Overall, the movies is fine fare. And while some tears may flow and a few lumps could appear in some throats, "Marley and Me" is a perfect family film for this time of year.

My Rating

Marley & Me : 7/10