Marley & Me (20th Century Fox)
A Little Laughter, A Few Tears A Lot of Entertainment
Some movies capture your heart from start to finish. Such a film is Marley & Me which is based on the book by John Grogan about his life with an incorrigible Labrador Retriever. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Anniston play the Grogans and they manage to hold their own even with the scene stealing dog.
The film starts with John and Jennie Grogan (Wilson and Anniston) both finding jobs with newspapers in Florida. John likes his job because he is best friends with a reporter there named Sebastian (Eric Dane). He also grows to respect his editor, Arnie Klein (Alan Arkin). Still John wants to do more daring reporting while Arnie wants him to write a personal column.
When Jennie starts talking about possibly having a baby in a few years, Sebastian suggests John get her a dog in order to keep the biological clock from ticking too loudly. John surprises Jennie with a dog and they name him Marley.
Marley is an incorrigible dog. He eats furniture, is afraid of thunderstorms, and runs wild whenever he gets a chance. But he also is a loving animal who provides affection to John, Jennie and their future family.
Wilson is very good as John Grogan, giving him just the right blend of exasperation and compassion. He handles the funny stuff with ease and manages to pull of the more dramatic aspects of the role too. It is his best performance ever.
Anniston is totally appealing as Jennie and makes you remember why you loved her so much in Friends. She needed a role to capture her beauty, humor and heart and this one does. This one movie ought to jumpstart her career.
The film is rated PG for mild profanity and adult situations.
Marley & Me is a family film that will have you laughing and crying in equal parts. Children who are not overly sensitive will enjoy the movie even in the final sad moments. Tears will be shed by all who see this film. It does not have an abrupt ending but rather one that has been carefully laid out with warnings of what is to come.
Marley & Me is based on Grogans best selling book, and the movie is destined to be a box office winner. Everybody loves a good dog story and this is a good dog story.
I scored Marley & Me a doggone 7 out of 10.
