Click to play videoCast: Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston
Direction: David Frankel
Marley & Me reminded me of those films my parents took my brother and me to as kids on Saturday mornings. Sweet, simple, family movies that were easy to enjoy, but just as easy to forget.
In this film, Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston star as a newly married couple, both newspaper journalists, who adopt a Labrador retriever as a sort of preparation for parenthood. Marley the dog is cute and lovable, but he'll eat everything in sight – the pillows, furry toys, even big chunks of furniture. And he's got a problem taking orders.
Three children eventually join the couple's perfect little family, and Wilson's character finds his niche at the newspaper, chronicling adventures with the "world's worst dog".
Yet, despite his growing readership and regular salary hikes, he still hopes to cover hard-hitting news stories. Meanwhile, Aniston's character having given up her own career to care for the home, hopes for a break from the crying kids and the crazy canine.
Disarmingly enjoyable, Marley & Me strikes a chord because it's really a film about any regular family that's trying to fit in love, work, children and a badly-behaved dog into their given space. And it's true he may be the dog from hell, but it's also true that deep inside their hearts the couple wouldn't have it any other way. In a sense, the dog is a metaphor for all the craziness you simply can't take out of your life.
Simplistic and straight, the film doesn't challenge you or evoke any passionate response. It does however, tug at the heartstrings – it's tough not to get misty-eyed when Marley nears the end of his life.
An engaging enough family film with life lessons for all to chew on, I'm going with three out of five for Marley & Me. Be sure to take your little ones – it's entertainment without any strain on the grey cells.
Rating: 3 / 5 (Good)
What do you think? Write your own review here and win exciting prizes. Winning entry will be read by Rajeev Masand on his show on CNN-IBN next Friday. Do not forget to leave your contact details.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of CNN-IBN does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.