We watched Marley and Me last night. While you're watching it, have your handkerchief ready. Though partly a comedy about the joys and stresses of modern family life, "Marley and Me" is also a tearjerker.
The "Me" of the title is John Grogan, in real life a Philadelphia Inquirer columnist who often wrote about his wife and kids and Marley, the family's boisterous Labrador. Readers loved Marley's misadventures, so the columnist wrote a best-selling book, "Marley & Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog," and several sequels.
The movie opens as the couple (Jenny played by Jennifer Anniston and John, played by Owen Wilson) flees snowy Michigan for Florida, where they work at competing papers and try to settle into married life. Uncertain about becoming a parent, John heeds the advice of his buddy and fellow reporter, Sebastian , to get a pet. How much trouble can a dog be?
The answer is soon obvious. The film splits into a portrait of Marley's hell-raising - he chases the UPS guy, steals a Thanksgiving turkey, etc. - and a look at the everyday tribulations of young married people. It's not all sweetness. John comes to envy Sebastian, a single guy whose career is advancing nicely; Jenny, exhausted as a stay-at-home mom, also has second thoughts.
Marley (named after the reggae singer) isn't bad, just very enthusiastic. Dog lovers will relish his antics; for others, there may be a few too many scenes where Marley races off with Grogan hanging on for dear life, or knocks over the garbage can, or chomps the sofa cushions.
As the Grogan family grows larger with the addition of three kids, Marley continues his antics. We see a softer side of Marley interacting with the kids. This film covers the 13 years of Marley's life. It is a must see for animal lovers and reminds us to enjoy our animals while they are here.
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You must read the book!!! It is much better than the movie!
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