Marley & Me - 19th July 2011

This week, we take a look at the romantic family comedy, that is;

Marley & Me

I guess that Marley & Me is a feelgood movie, it makes you feel good about yourself, about family, about life, but..........

OK, let's set the scene. Young newly Wed's John and Jennifer Grogan, (Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston) start to settle down, both have good journalistic jobs. However, Jen has a bit of a life plan. Part 1; get married. Part 2; house etc.
John is concerned what else is in the plan. Could it be the patter of tiny feet? To dissuade Jen from thinking about a baby, John treats her to a puppy for her Birthday and this is where the fun begins.

The new puppy; Marley, is probably the worst dog ever, impossible to train, impossible to leave home alone etc. etc.
What follows, and makes up the bulk of the film, is the life journey that this small family sets off on. This small family, that soon starts to flourish, with one child, followed by another and then followed by another, just after they decide that two kids and a crazy dog was enough! So we follow John, Jen, the three kids and the crazy dog on their adventures.

This is the feelgood part of the film, you enjoy their trials and tribulations. Their ups and downs. The new jobs, the new homes etc. It is good stuff. Some fine slapstick comedy moments and some brilliant doggy antics.

Jennifer Aniston is radiant in the movie, I never liked her in Friends, but that is because I never watched it! Owen Wilson is brilliant also. He portrays that dog / owner bond so believably.
Special note should go to Alan Arkin, who played Arnie Klein, John Grogan's dry witted boss. He really injects some flat, but ever so funny humourous lines into the film.

OK, onto the inevitable. And why this is a reverse feelgood movie. There isn't a happy ending.
Well, that's not strictly true, it's a sad ending yes, but it is played so well, Owen Wilson excelling in his portrayal of the grieving dog owner. Does that give too much away?

It's a lovely movie. It's sad, very sad in places, but it's the happy journey that the film takes you on, that balances out the inevitable sad end.

Tissues at the ready.