Marley and Me, based on the book of an autobiographical account written by John Grogan and directed by David Frankel, features John Grogan (Owen Wilson) as an up-and-coming writer married to Jennifer Grogan (Jennifer Aniston). At the beginning of this thirteen-year period the film traverses, Jennifer’s biological clock is ticking and upon the advice of John’s friend, decides to placate her maternal longing for the time being by purchasing a puppy who grows up to be the world’s worst dog, Marley.
Marley and Me is indicative of one of those movies where the most comical scenes are completely used up in the previews. While charming, Marley’s antics are the only times where a chuckle can be induced sans a few left field comments from Alan Arkin. When Owen Wilson is on screen, situational comedy becomes redundant and it is only after the first act where the film detours to something starkly different than what the advertisements suggest.
It’s kind of ironic because Jennifer Aniston starred in Break Up where half the way through the pace and formula dramatically changed to become quite despairing leaving an empty feeling in its wake. Fortunately, with Marley and Me, the change is quite the opposite and it is in the second act that a new perspective to the first act is brought to fruition and ends up turning the total package into a strong cohesive story.
It is forbidden to write a review and reveal the ending which won’t happen here. However, I will say there were some imaginably trite ways Frankel could have closed Marley and Me but he pulled off the closing moments with sensitive perfection.
The second act forces Wilson and Aniston to muster what may be their best performances to date. Both are convincingly believable as a married couple going through thick and thin to make things work. Arnie Klein (Alan Arkin) plays John’s boss through much of the film and has some scene stealers. John’s friend Sebastian (Eric Dane) is there to act as a contrast in John’s life and makes John’s character admirable due to his convictions to stand by Jennifer in the face of temptation as a result of Sebastian’s single male lifestyle.
Marley and Me will appeal most to pet lovers and those with kids who can learn from its valuable life lessons. It is not your holiday fluff but a truthful portrait on the cycle of life. It honors marriage and shows us that you don’t always get what you expect but you can learn to love what you have. Marley is not only lovable, but is the one constant and glue that holds and brings the family closer together. It is a celebration of life and its unexpected turns families will enjoy on Christmas Day.
– Chris Walsh
