Marley and Me Movie Review

Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson and a Dog: Man’s Best and Worst Friend

Jan 1, 2009

The adaptation of journalist John Grogan's best-selling novel, based on the triumphs and turmoil of his relationship with his dog, Marley, throughout his short lifetime.

Marley and Me recounts the trials and tribulations of a young couple, from their wedding day, to the day of the death of their dog Marley, the catalyst to all things, good and bad in their life to that point.

Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers), and Jennifer Aniston (The Break-Up), play John and Jennifer Grogan, a young newly-married couple filled with naivety, hope, and ambition. Both being accomplished writers, the pair make tracks to the warmer climate of South Florida, and both hope to make names for themselves as successful journalists in their adopted homes.

Marley is a Bad Dog

Although happy and still very much in love, Jen grows restless, and feels that she may be ready to have a child. John, who holds aspirations of being an accomplished journalist working bigger stories than those commissioned by his current editor, Arnie Klein played by Alan Arkin (Get Smart), realizes he is not yet ready for children and by the advise of his close friend Sebastian, Eric Dane (Grey’s Anatomy), buys his wife a Labrador, Marley, in hopes that he may quell her motherly urges a while longer.

From the onset of Marley’s indoctrination to the family, it is evident that the Grogan’s have chosen a special dog. Incorrigible, boisterous, and disobedient, Marley is a canine machine of destruction which cannot be stopped, eating and destroying everything in his wake. Despite his foibles, Marley’s insatiable nature keeps him from being given away.

The chaos and aggravation caused by Marley, despite being testing of John and Jen’s relationship, gives John, a newly promoted columnist, the ability to write his most attractive and entertaining material, soon winning regional acclaim.

Life Begins with Marley

The burden of parenthood, with Jen and John now having two young boys, along with Marley’s constant disobedience, means that John and Jen’s relationship becomes rocky and Jen demands, in the heat of the moment that Marley be gotten rid of. John, who can’t bring himself to abandon the dog which has brought him so much joy, refuses, and the couple soon forget their differences, and bring a new child into the world, a little girl.

With John Grogan’s reputation proceeding him, an opportunity presents itself for the talented writer to take up a position at the ‘Philadelphia Enquirer’ as a journalist. With the consent of his wife and children, The Grogan’s move into a beautiful home on the outskirts of Philly, where Marley, who is approaching the end of his life, has plenty of space to roam free with the children.

With Marley’s health ailing, the Grogan’s begin to realize how special their dog always was, and despite his obvious weaknesses, how loyal and loving he was. It soon becomes apparent that John and Jen’s life as a family started not when they brought there first child home from the hospital, but when they first adopted Marley, and that many of the family’s worst and best moments had revolved around him.

Truly Man’s Best Friend

Dan Roos and Scott Frank have masterfully exposed the richness of John Grogan’s tale. Littered with beautiful imagery and themes, one can’t help but relate to the simplicity and the honesty of a tale as old as time, dog as man’s best friend. During the most emotive scenes, it was difficult for any audience member to hold back the tears when thinking of the joy our canine companions bring to our homes. Put simply by Wilson’s character, ‘Give a dog your heart, and he’ll give you his’.

The Verdict

The parallels drawn between the complex nature of John and Jen’s relationship, compared to the relative simple unconditional nature of their relationship with Marley, reminds us all that sometimes we need to be just a bit more open to giving our love unconditionally.

5/5 Stars

Cast

20th Century Fox (PG-120 Minutes)

The copyright of the article Marley and Me Movie Review in Romantic Films/Comedies is owned by Ben Hetherington. Permission to republish Marley and Me Movie Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.