CINEMA: Marley and Me

This boy, girl and shaggy dog story has a homespun, everyday charm about it and for those who go all gooey over puppies, it will weave an instantaneous canine spell. Based on the life story and book by John Grogan it charts how journalists John (Owen Wilson) and his wife Jenny (Jennifer Aniston) left the harsh winters of Michigan behind to start again in sunny Florida.

Unsure about his new life of married responsibility and the prospect of fatherhood, on the advice of his buddy Sebastian (Eric Dane) John buys Jenny a labrador puppy which they name after Bob Marley.

However, rather than being a fluffy ball of joy Marley is the most psychotic dog you could ever meet. He refuses to be trained, chews everything put in front of him, and terrorises small children and postmen alike. But he does give John all the stories he needs for his column in the local paper and soon Marley is as well loved by the local community as he is by his owners. As Sebastian goes on to win prizes for his news reporting, the once ambitious John settles down into a life of domestic bliss and chaos with Jenny, their growing family, and a still-bonkers Marley.

Everything about this movie goes ‘ahhhhh’; it’s a love story, a story about friendship and companionship, and soppy human doggy bonds. It’s mildly amusing (Marley and Alan Arkin as John’s drier than dry editor are the best things in it, while Wilson and Aniston can play ‘nice’ in their sleep) well shot and has family appeal written right across it. In fact, it’s so eager to be liked it almost sits up and begs – which is more than Marley ever learns to do.        Dee Pilgrim