The Notebook Meets Homeward Bound (Bring the Kleenex!)

When purchasing a ticket to go and see “Marley and Me” one has to ask, for what reason are they going to see it? It was because you saw the puppy dog with the red bow tied around its neck, right? Set aside the fact that Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston are the stars of this movie and at the heart of it all- you’re going to see the movie because the dog looked cute in the previews. The two main actors could have been nobodies and this still would be the number one film in America.  That being said, the question is: is it a good film or not? This is one of those movies that I shouldn’t say too much about, because it would give too much away. So hopefully the short review below will be enough for you to formulate an opinion.

            Owen Wilson, still a bit warm coming off the hot stove that was the much-publicized woes of his private life, plays John Grogan a young newspaper writer living in Florida. John’s your typical guy- handsome and young, just married but not yet looking to push the fast forward button on the VCR of his life just yet.

            Jennifer Aniston coming off woes at the box office (Rumor Has It, Friends with Money) as well as her very publicized private life plays Jennifer Grogan, John’s adorable and loving wife who just happens to also be a newspaper writer. Pause the movie for a second----these two seem like they’d be right for each other in real life!

            Wilson and Aniston are two fine actors who do good jobs playing their roles in “Marley and Me”. Although Owen Wilson may not even win an academy award, he gets the job done playing Grogan, who turns out to be just an ordinary guy. He's someone who likes beers and gadgets and somebody who doesn’t try too hard to do anything, but ends up surprising himself every time there’s success. Neither Aniston nor Wilson is absolutely amazing in the movie- but they do have some on screen chemistry that is a huge plus for a plot such as this.

            John Grogan’s friend Sebastian, played by Eric Dane (Grey’s Anatomy) is another newspaper writer who hasn’t quite given up his frat boy image. When Grogan relays to Sebastian that Jennifer might want children, and he might not be ready, Sebastian tells his friend to get her a puppy. The puppy in turn, should take away the need for a child for at least a few years. Grogan thinks this is a good idea and decides to surprise Jennifer for her birthday.

            They meet Marley for the first time at a farm with lots of other dogs. The woman who lives on the farm explains that the owners of Marley’s mother dropped her off, without even knowing she was pregnant. That’s a blessing for John and Jennifer who fall instantly in love with Marley from the moment they lay eyes upon him. The woman seemingly knows that Marley’s different from the rest of his litter right away when she sells the pup to the Grogans for less than all the other brothers and sisters, tempting John and Jen to name him, “Clearance Puppy.” Marley gets his real name when he and daddy John are riding in the car and Bob Marley pops on the radio. John at first tries out the name Bob to no avail. However, when he says “Marley” the dog’s ears perk up and it’s the name that sticks.           

            From that point forward, the movie just rolls. It’s a film that shows both the light and dark sides of being a pet owner. It’s a film that shows the light and dark sides of relationships and children. It’s a film that shows the light and dark sides of careers and trying to keep your career moving when family comes around. It is not a simple movie about a cute puppy. “Marley and Me” turns out to be sort of a two-hour epic about an everyday family. The viewer gets to follow this family from their very first wedding night and fall in love with them as they live their lives. There are so many scenes that just make you think, “that’s us” or “that’s me” or “that’s her” or “my dog is like that”.

            If you like dogs, you’ll like this movie. If you like relationships you’ll like this movie. If you’re a dog owner, you’ll like this movie. If you’re a dog owner in a relationship, (especially long term or even married,) bring the Kleenex. My tear ducts were working pretty much halfway through the film when the Grogans were trying to get pregnant. There is just so much here that reminds me of things going on in my own life, with my own relationship and my own dogs.

    “Marley and Me” will make you want to do two things when it’s over:

1)    Hug the person next to you and

2)    Hug your dog when you get home.