Marley and Me is Not Beethoven

By Mike Johnson

I never owned a dog. My mom always lied to me growing up by saying she was allergic, when in reality she realized that I rarely picked something up without breaking it, and a broken puppy is a public relations nightmare in a small town. I can’t blame her looking back on it but I can’t help feeling like I missed out. The relationship formed between dog and dog owner can’t be overstated.

I know people who openly love dogs more than their own children, people who treat the Westminster Dog Show as their Superbowl, and people who refuse to read or watch Marley and Me because of the sheer thought that something bad might happen to the dog.I won’t give any major plot points away (not a difficult task), but don’t let that fear deter you from seeing this thoroughly enjoyable family comedy.

Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston play a newly married couple in a pleasant little bubble of a life.They both write for well respected papers, they’re good looking, in love, and pondering that next step. Fearing he’s not ready for the human embodiment of the “next step,” Owen decides to get Jen a puppy for her birthday, and in comes Marley the clearance puppy. Without overly minimizing a movie I genuinely enjoyed… the rest of the movie ensues.

There just isn’t too much to Marley and Me and maybe that’s why I liked it. Wilson and Aniston are great with each other, but the core of the movie is an examination of the bond that’s held between a family and their dog. The movie tracks the couple through 12 or so years of their lives, the early days training the incorrigible Marley, having kids, job changes, basically enjoying the gifts and enduring the struggles any couple will have over the course of a marriage, with the overlying reality that Marley is there thorough it all.

Marley and Me is certainly a tad manipulative when it comes to the sweet factor. There is no dearth of “the adorable dog is running wild” scenes but lets be serious, dogs can be hilarious. Alan Arkin is funny in his familiar role of grumpy but ultimately pure hearted older man, and Grey’s McSteamy plays the swingin bachelor friend to Owen Wilson’s family man. Overall, I definitely recommend Marley and Me as a flick you won’t have to think through a whole lot to enjoy.

It depicts a family life a lot of real people will be able to relate to, and dog lovers will appreciate its ability to present the unique relationship we have with our dogs.