Review
Marley & Me (Family, Comedy, Drama) (2008) [True Story] [Based on Memoir]
Director: David Frankel
Writer: Scott Frank, Don Roos, John Grogan (Based on Memoir by)
Stars: Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Eric Dane, Alan Arkin
Recently married and getting used to life together, a young couple adopts a spirited labrador pup, unaware that his nature might challenge their patience for years to come as the dog seems untameable.
For years after the release of Frankel's "Marley & Me" this family feature was known for its emotional impact; the question might be whether the film itself, apart from this one moment, holds up—many only remembering the final. Its director, David Frankel, is predominantly known for "The Devil Wears Prada", which he directed two years prior and is expected to receive a sequel fairly soon. "Marley& Me" was filmed around Florida, predominantly Miami, and some minor segments in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, in addition to a scene or two in Ireland. It was produced by Fox 2000 Pictures, Sunswept Entertainment, Regency Enterprises, and Dune Entertainment while being distributed by 20th Century Fox.
Marrying back in snowy Michigan, an ebullient couple relocated to the sunny state of Florida, applying for new jobs and becoming acclimatised to an entirely new experience together. When Jenny (Jennifer Aniston) begins discussing her and John (Owen Wilson) having children together, John, with some advice from childhood friend and co-worker Sebastian (Eric Dane), decides to surprise Jenny with a Labrador puppy instead as an early birthday gift. That would turn out to be their most significant gift and headache, tying them and their future family apart just to bring them back together; their Marley is perhaps the worst dog ever while also being an inspiration.
While it would be difficult to provide a script as exuberant as Marley the Labrador, the writers of "Marley & Me" provide an active script nearing two hours that fly by, covering about 14 years of the Grogan family. Sometimes, it feels like a romantic comedy hijacked by a Labrador, perhaps the best thing imaginable.
There's little time provided to establish the relationship between Wilson's John and Aniston's Jenny after their marriage, as we're transported to their initial bloom in a state before the true main character is introduced, even his growth is a literal spurt, wisely pictured with positively hasty transitions. Treated to a balance between Aniston and Wilson's acting and the proposed nightmare of a dog in Marley, few moments don't feel natural in a certain sense. Breaking the lovey-dovey relationship comes a time when tension shines through, frustrations with a job, or simply being tired of watching the kids with an unbearable one-hundred-pound furball making a mess of their home, there's relatability in every corner; for each sort of person.
In many senses, this is performed as a relatively typical family comedy of its time, uplifted by genuine-feeling performances, mostly by Wilson and Aniston breaking preconceived notions set by past roles. That realism carries it further than most films of this stature and becomes immensely relatable for not just pet owners but couples, too. Marley's behaviour and the advice given by passing characters feel like those bits and pieces we've all heard, and every dog is different, even the worst dog—if you allow it, it becomes an integral part of your family.
Even about sixteen years after its initial release, many writers and directors could use Frankel's film as an example, while as a director, he hasn't stood out in much else.. This flick might be the peak of where you can take a family-romantic comedy. Much acclaim goes to the writers and the works it's based on presenting a flighty script with enough substance for young and old and a heart-wrenching ending that will stay in my mind until I follow Marley and my former pets to the pasture.
Verdict
An unrestrained showing of a pet owner's journey.
9,0
