Finally released to Irish audiences after a long-winded and successful run across the pond, Marley & Me is based on John Grogan’s bestselling memoirs of the same name.
Starring rom-com favourites Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson as the all- American couple, the story pays homage to the sentimental movies of Americana. It follows newlyweds John and Jenny Grogan as they move to sunny Florida to pursue competing careers in journalism, but it isn’t long before Jenny starts getting broody. With the daunting idea of parenthood on the horizon, John’s colleague convinces him to get a dog to divert Jenny’s feelings and happily extend their honeymoon period. Enter Marley and let the antics of “the world’s worst dog” begin. Focussing on the exploits of this uncontrollable golden retriever and the impact he makes on the lives of his reluctant owners, this is evidently a film aimed at canine lovers everywhere.
If director David Frankel’s name rings a bell it’s because he directed that other bestseller turned box office smash, The Devil Wears Prada. Like that tale of fashion’s bitchy underbelly, Marley & Me is equally predictable and slushy. Every slapstick moment is expected before it happens and the viewer fails to really identify with John and Jenny. They remain anaemic and one dimensional throughout, never developing beyond being background figures for Marley and the real action. This is a real problem for the film because the success of Grogan’s book lies in the realism of the situation and the inimitable feeling and emotion conveyed between the Grogans and their dog.
True to form, Aniston performs her crowning glory role of Rachel in yet another box office stint. Although she is always watchable and is a skilled comedic actress, it is like watching the exact same character, film after film. Unfortunately, the same argument can be applied to Wilson as he plays to type throughout. Like Aniston, he is good at movie roles like this but it leads to no surprises in terms of performance. Both leads are overshadowed by their canine companion and as both stars are playing to type throughout the 120 minutes running time, they don’t attempt to steal the show from the dog for a second. This leads to the joke of the lovable yet wily dog running thin all too quickly and Marley & Me runs out of steam before it takes off.
At times, Marley & Me can’t make up its mind if it is a comedy or a drama. The plot is too reliant on the dog’s mayhem to break up the thin plot of newlywed difficulties and the scenes where the dog is causing chaos are highly predictable. Given the heartfelt sentimentalism of Grogan’s original text, the sweetness of the movie falls short, although the overall love of Marley and our disruptive canine companions manages to shine through on occasion. Considering the heartfelt depth of Grogan’s memoirs, so much more could have been done with this adaptation, although even the steeliest of hearts will melt as Marley ages and goes downhill.
With Aniston as the American sweetheart paired with box office favourite Wilson, Marley & Me will undoubtedly be a firm favourite with the chick flick set. The ubiquitous trailers for Marley & Me reveal the high points of the movie so if the run of the mill gags don’t endear you to buy a cinema ticket, don’t just follow the hype - pick up a copy of Grogan’s bestseller instead.
- Lisa Hughes
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