Marley & Me

So I had quite the movie marathon over the three-day MLK weekend! Let's see if I can keep them all straight... I'll start with the current theatrical release I saw on Friday night: Marley & Me. Warning: if you don't already know how this movie ends and don't want to know STOP READING prior to the last paragraph!!

I thought Marley & Me was a cute movie. I am a sucker for dog movies though, so my opinion is a bit partial! The dog was by far the highlight of the movie. For those of us who have dogs, there are lots of "yep, my dog does that and it really is hysterical" moments. The scene where Owen Wilson's character takes Marley home the first day was almost an exact re-enactment of me taking my dog Bailey home from the Humane Society our first day... By the end of the ride home the dog is in the lap and the true "owner" has been established. It is these moments that give this movie its heart. With that said, the story has no real momentum - you are simply watching a family go through the years and grow. Not the most compelling plot...and there were times when I found myself wishing "something" would happen.

As indicated earlier, the many dogs who played Marley were amazing. I wish the same could be said about their human counterparts. Owen Wilson is fine as John, playing a typical Owen-Wilson-character. Though I was a big fan of Friends, I must admit that I have never fallen in love with Jennifer Aniston as a movie actress and this film did not change that. She is merely adequate in her role. Eric Dane, as John's friend and colleague, plays a version of his Grey's Anatomy character. The only standouts were Alan Arkin as John's boss - his dry humor was spot-on - and a young Nathan Gamble, who plays the oldest son around the age of 10 and interjects real emotion into his role and his interactions with the aging Marley.

Which brings me to the end of the movie. The last half hour or so is what makes this movie special and absolutely heartbreaking at the same time. As we see Marley truly begin to age, get sick and eventually pass on we are reminded of how precious our time with our furry companions are. I have honestly never cried so much in a movie in my life. Memories of dogs past and thoughts of the inevitable with my pup Bailey haunted me well past the lights going up in the theatre. Although painful to watch, the ending was beautifully done and really paid tribute to all beloved family dogs and the real Marley especially. I am sure he is looking down from above and wagging his tail.