Director: David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada)Cast: Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers, The Royal Tenenbaums), Jennifer Aniston (Friends, The Break-Up), Erik Dane (Grey's Anatomy), Alan Arkin (Get Smart, Little Miss Sunshine)
The Deal: Newly weds John (Wilson) and Jennifer (Aniston) Grogan just moved to Florida where they both are newspaper writers. In an attempt a stall Jennifer's desire for children, John buys her a labrador puppy they name Marley. Marley grows and grows despite never loosing his puppy-like rambunctiousness and lack of discipline. Having recently been granted a column in the paper, John decides to chronicle the ups and downs of life with Marley. As they mature and have kids, Marley remains the same spirited and troublesome dog, but the family never stops loving him.
Thoughts: If you saw all of the commercials and thought the film would follow Marley left and right, you would be mistaken. This is not exactly the super-cheery film about a dog, it's much more than that. This film takes a look into what it actually is like to raise a family- the highs, the lows, the struggles, the sacrifices, and the love. Yes, there is plenty of hilarity thanks to Marley, but this film is just as much about John's and Jennifer's lives with their work and kids. It can be a very serious film, even with some of the crazy antics, and the ending does not try to make itself any less sad or difficult to endure. At least half the theater was sobbing in tears as the credits rolled, even the people who knew what to expect going in.
Wilson and Aniston have been around so long now that we know what to expect from their performances. Neither is a dynamite dramatic actor, but they both possess an ample combination of seriousness and comedy in their arsenal to really make the film work. Dane seems to have the same role he has on Grey's Anatomy, only this time around he's in Miami. He's a ladies man who it seems will never be meant for or understand committed relationships. Alan Arkin was excellent as the newspaper chief. He really takes over any role he's in and has no hesitation to steal any and every scene.
By half way through the film, all of Marley's antics had transitioned from funny to annoying, in the realm of the character's lives that is. As they started a family, Marley becomes one of the largest sources of problems, but as every dog loving family does, they find a way. The film was an excellent take on the typical American family. Marley always wanted to play, and he sure loved mangos, but the family didn't always have the time. The highs and lows of Marley become funny memories to look back on, and John's column proves to be an excellent outlet to preserve and share the memories. Anyone who has ever owned a dog will connect with the film, whether it was a life-long family dog or a failed attempt to successfully handle a puppy. It's all here and plays out so believably. The film really just grabs you by the heart and takes it on a roller coaster ride.
Verdict: A great family film that tackles what it truly means to be a family. There's plenty of comedic antics, but it doesn't hesitate to tug at your heartstrings. ☆☆☆☆
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