Movie-Holic

There are movies that are good, and then there are those that cause an involuntary emotional response. I categorize those types of movies as absolutely “must see”. Marley and Me is one of those movies.

I must admit that I wasn’t really that interested in it. I passed on it as the theaters and waited until I got my Amazon package in the mail. (I love pre-ordering!) My wife and kids really wanted to dig into it, but I was a little hesitant. I have since changed my mind.

Marley And Me is one of those movies that you can’t take your eyes away from. It’s tender, funny, emotional, and makes you wish life was really like that.

Marley and Me is a heart touching story of the events in the life of John Grogan (Owen Wilson) and his new wife, Jennifer (played by Jennifer Aniston), as they grow together, build a family, career, and deal with a very troubling, neurotic, and often times downright awful dog. However, I believe this movie is about more than just a romantic comedy with a troublesome dog. It’s also a glimpse into what it truly takes to create a loving family atmosphere with incredible problems and hassles of life.

Over the span of several years we are on a journey with both Mr. and Mrs. Grogan as they begin their life together. Taken back by the prospect of becoming a father, John Grogan gets his wife a puppy to put off your biological clock a few more years. What he didn’t know was that this puppy was going to be 100 pounds of energy that was on his own agenda. Marley, named after Bob Marley, is the dog from hell. He breaks things, eats things, runs everywhere, gets kicked out of obedience school, and just about ruins everything that is around him. Of course, some of these Marley adventures are pretty funny, while some just make you cringe and be thankful your dog isn’t like that.

As time goes on, John and Jennifer begin to have a family and the pressures of career, kids, and the “worse dog in the world” begin to add up. However, they work through things with an incredible bond that is rarely seen in marriages.

If I had to pick one thing that raises itself above everything else, it would be the incredible picture of what the ideal family would look like if people put others before themselves. The story is captivating. Their isn’t really any one scene that catapults this movie, but rather the whole film that creates an incredibly entertaining dynamic.

Owen Wilson is perfect as John Grogan, the reporter turned columnist, turned reporter, turned columnist. He never really figures out what he wants, and struggles with his position in life throughout the movie, until the end when all becomes clear. He adds is familiar style to the movie, but doesn’t try to go over the top or try to be too funny. It’s just right. As well, Aniston delivers one of the performances of her career as the wife, and then mother, who gives up her career in order to cope with raising kids and taking care of Marley. I was pretty impressed with both actors and believe they add to the overall involuntary emotional response at the end of the movie.

I must warn you though. Marley And Me, according to the trailers and advertisements, was billed as a comedy. Instead, it delivers an impact across so many different levels. If you are looking at Marley and Me as a purely comedic event, then you are going to be very disappointed. It has some very funny parts, but the main element to Marley and Me is not comedy, but love. Pure love. Sacrificial love.

Marley and Me is a pure movie that is sure to be enjoyed by anyone who like movies. I will have to add it to my list of Five Movies I Like To Watch With My Kids.

I highly recommend Marley and Me as a genuinely great movie.