Based on the eponymous memoir by John Grogan, Marley & Me was directed by David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada) and stars Jennifer Aniston (Friends) & Owen Wilson (Midnight in Paris).

Premise: A family learns important life lessons from their adorable, but naughty and neurotic dog.

Review: The first time I saw this movie I wasn’t transcended by it. I thought it was a dog movie and I’m not much of a dog person. But after matching the movie recently, I saw it differently.

It’s not just about the dog, it’s about the family, this couple and their kids’ lives with Marley – the dog. Once I started to realized that it became a better movie. The changes and sacrifices John & his wife made spoke to me. I am older now and the film is much more about this couple’s life, their careers, and family life for me than their dog’s.

Marley is just one of the focal point of the story that allow us to see the impact he had and how this family evolved with him around. The movie has a comedic element to it but back when I first saw and even now I did not burst out laughing, at best I chuckled. It’s a better family drama than it is a comedy.

I cannot say that the cast’s performance was bad because a lot of the movie is focused on the dog. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston are basically supporting a dog that has the main role. And I am not going to comment on dogs acting. Their individual performance have its moments but it’s mostly forgettable. In fact, before watching it again – it was on TV for the holidays, I did not chase it – I knew Aniston & Wilson were in it but only remembered what the dog did. 

Marley & Me, is a nice family movie that young kids might like and that can speak – to a certain level – to adults whether they are dog owner/lovers or not.

Use the comment section bellow to share you opinion about the movie or tweet me @wornoutspines. What do you think?