MOVIE REVIEW: Marley & Me
© A.J. Malouin 2009
(Ratings: 2 by Caryl, and a pass by Al.)
(See our side-bar page “How Caryl & Al and The Film Snob Rate Movies”)
(2008/USA. Directed by David Frankel.)
Everyone we’ve talked to loves this movie. Al’s Mom and her posse thought it was very good, though very sad. Al’s friend and former fishing buddy was looking for something to see with his wife, and they both enjoyed seeing this.
Caryl said about it: “You know me. I *never* cry in the movies, no matter what. I don’t like to cry and so I don’t. I had tears on my cheeks at the end of this movie, however. It was very good!”
One Web site summed the movie up nicely: “A family learns important life lessons from their adorable, but naughty and neurotic dog.”
Not only that, but the movie stars Jennifer Aniston.
Our story?
Newly weds Jennifer (played for ease of communication by Jennifer Aniston) and John (played charmingly by Owen Wilson) Grogan are anxious to have a baby. A friend suggests, however, that they may not yet be ready for such a heavy responsibility. They should start out slowly, by getting a dog.
Enter Marley.
Caryl reports that it was great fun watching Marley interact with the family, great fun seeing three children come along and grow up, and great fun watching Marley through all the various stages of his life with the family.
By now *all* the media have reported that the part of Marley was actually played by 22 different and delightful Golden Labs.
Some of the children (Patrick, Conor, and Colleen) were played by different actors at different ages in their lives. Jennifer Aniston played herself throughout the movie.
Marley turns out to be more-than-a-handful in many situations, up he always comes up roses as Man’s (and the Family’s!) Best Friend
All in all, Caryl reports that “Marley & Me” is a very, very pleasant way to spend an afternoon at the movies. Be careful, though, because it gets a little weepy (in a very good way) at the end.
(2 hr 0. Rated “PG” in the USA for thematic material, some suggestive content, and language. In English. With Owen Wilson as John Grogan, Jennifer Aniston as Jennifer Grogan, Eric Dane as Sebastian, Kathleen Turner as Ms. Kornblut, Alan Arkin as Arnie Klein, Nathan Gamble as Patrick at Age 10, Haley Bennett as Lisa, Clarke Peters as the Editor, Finley Jacobsen at Conor at Age 8, Lucy Merriam as Colleen at Age 5, Bryce Robinson as Patrick at Age 7, Benjamin Hyland as Conor at Age 5, Sarah O’Kelly as Neighbor Mom (Nurse), Keith Hudson as Big Guy, and Haley Hudson as Debby.