Marley and you, and your full supply of Kleenex
Emily Hansen
Issue date: 2/11/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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I feel I must preface my review with the blanket statement that I am a dog lover. Maybe lover isn't even a strong enough word. In my household our two yellow Labradors are less animals than they are members of our family. Given my immense devotion for four-legged creatures, most specifically yellow Labs, I cannot help but look upon this film fondly. Thus, instead of focusing on the poorly developed relationship between Owen Wilson's character and Aniston's, I will choose to focus on the power of Marley's presence in the Grogan household, which, come to think of it, is the whole point of this film.
In the tradition of Shiloh and Old Yeller, Marley and Me tells the timeless tale of a boy and his dog. The film opens with the quintessential image of a young boy walking through a field with his best friend, his dog, glued to his side. John Grogan (Wilson) claims that this boy is not him, explaining that Marley is a wild and uncontrollable animal who cannot possibly be "man's best friend." Not to usurp Mr. Grogan's narrative authority, but throughout this movie John transforms into this young boy. He becomes a man whose life is changed by his dog. In Marley, he acquires a best friend who, despite his unruly tendencies, is there for him unconditionally. Marley brings light into John's life. Most literally, John, a newspaper reporter, achieves success at work when he begins writing comedic columns about the trials and tribulations of living with Marley, a dog so unmanageable that he gets himself kicked out of obedience school.
In a film that touts itself as a comedy, the scenes that stand out the most are the heartfelt ones, and that's the whole point. While this movie might garner laughs, it merely uses comedy to draw its audience in. The film's actual purpose is to depict the powerful bond between a family and its dog. And as the film progresses, you as an audience member are part of the Grogan family, falling in love with the "world's worst dog," as John calls him.
However, as is the case with many dog movies, this film does not end on a happy note. The scenes of Marley's final days are so unbearably heartbreaking that you will be hard pressed to find a dry eye in the theater. While these moments are moving, they are unnecessarily sorrowful. We all know or at least can imagine the pain that goes along with losing a pet and this film has already established the strong bond between Marley and the Grogan family. So why does the film feel the need to walk you, step-by-excruciating step, through the tragic final moments of Marley's life? It seems to me that the director could have spared his viewers a lot of heartache and created a better film had he simply toned down the sadness of the concluding scenes.
Despite my qualms with the ending, I found this film highly entertaining, particularly because of the impeccable performances turned in by a handful of actors. Wilson, as he is known to do, shines as the laidback newspaper reporter (though he seems to have more on-screen chemistry with the 22 dogs that played Marley than he does with Aniston). Eric Dane (Dr. Sloane on ABC's Grey's Anatomy) is perfectly cast as John's sleazebag best friend, who sees Marley as nothing but a prime "chick magnet." Yet the real silver screen stealer is Marley himself (all 22 of him).
All in all, I'd recommend this film to dog-lovers who are in the mood for an entertaining canine flick, especially those with an ample supply of Kleenex on hand.
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