MARLEY AND ME
US, 2008, 115 minutes, Colour.
Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Erick Dane, Alan Arkin, Kathleen Turner.
Directed by David Frankl.
Dogs.
Wedding, dogs, jobs, dogs, family, dogs – and dogs.
Marley is a very big labrador who has a voracious appetite, which is not limited to food. Any object around the house is worthy of a bite and a chew. While cuddly, Marley could also knock over the unsuspecting bystander.
Dog lovers have taken this film to heart. It made over $100,000,000 in the US alone during the 2008 Christmas period. (Although one dog lover confided that Marley's life was too untrained and undisciplined and she found the film rather trying.)
For those who have been almost bowled over at the front door of friends' homes by seemingly marauding and leaping dogs, Marley and Me might recall canine traumas.
That said, Marley and Me is a pleasant, agreeable film. In fact, it is very, very traditional in its presentation of marriage, love, children and family – and pets. Perhaps this is why it has appealed, a wholesome look at nice values.
Owen Wilson brings his genial laid-back comic approach to the role of John Grogan, a would-be reporter who has a talent for writing newspaper columns, observations of life in the suburbs – and about Marley. Jennifer Aniston has an opportunity to take on something more substantial as Jen Grogan, reporter, then mother.
There are some added bonuses, a glimpse of Kathleen Turner as a curmudgeonly dog trainer (who can't get the better of Marley) and Alan Arkin as Grogan's world-weary editor.
After spending almost two hours with John and Jen and then with their children, and moving from sunny Florida to snow Pennsylvania, we have to face the fact that Marley is getting old and, considering what has gone into Marley's stomach over the years, death is a possibility. 'Oh, you who have tears, prepare to shed them now.'
Yes, there can be feel-sad, feel-good films.
1.The popularity of the film? Traditional values? American family? Work ethic? The focus on pets and dogs?
2.John Grogan and his career, as a journalist, columnist, his observations about life and politics in Florida, his columns about Marley, success, readership? His wanting to be a reporter? Wanting to change, go to Philadelphia? Finally accepting his talent as a columnist?
3.Florida and its atmosphere, the homes, the coast and beaches, the workplace, newspaper offices? The contrast with the change to Pennsylvania, the newspapers, the mansion, the snow? Audiences identifying with him?
4.The bright colour of the visual style, the musical score?
5.The wedding, Jen and John, happiness, making their home in Florida, each getting jobs, Jen and her success, John and his interview with the editor, trying to read the editor’s mind, Sebastian as his friend, helper? His reports? Jen and her covering of trials? Reading each other’s columns?
6.Sebastian and his friendship, way of life, free, relationships with women, a reporter and the political events of the day, going overseas, his suggestion to John about the dog? His ultimate success in New York? The ending – the meeting with John in the street, his going off with the women? A kind of freedom – contrasting with John’s life?
7.Owen Wilson as John, his screen presence, laidback style, his love for Jen, his skill at his work, wanting to be a reporter, dealing with the editor and his moods, writing the column? The relationship with Jen, the prospect of children? Sebastian’s advice about the dog? Jen and the surprise, the blindfold, the attraction to the dogs, to Marley? The deal? The hopes, trying for pregnancy? The discussions about having babies? John and Jen and their joy, the disaster of the miscarriage? Jen pregnant again, John and his life at home, the various pregnancies? The births? The ups and downs of the marriage? Marley’s constant presence?
8.The children, family life, Jen and her exasperation, Marley’s presence and Marley with the children? John and his moving in with Sebastian? Needing space? Talking things over, the reconciliation and mutual understanding?
9.The years passing, the family growing, the children growing up, Marley’s being with them?
10.The change to Pennsylvania, the big house, the job, John meeting Sebastian in the street? His discussions with the editor? The nature of columns, the nature of reporting?
11.The film’s focus on Marley, on labradors, finding the baby Marley, love at first sight, buying the dog? The attempts at training and the comic scenes with the trainer, her frustrations? Marley eating all the foot, rough in the house, on the beach – and all the owners unleashing their dogs – Marley disgracing John, the police arriving? The dog and its chewing everything in the house? Becoming part of the household?
12.Marley, the trip to Pennsylvania, the stomach upset, going to the vet, the children and their anxiety, Marley coming home? Getting sick again, going outside, with the vet, Marley being put down? The various reactions, the burial and the children and their speeches?
13.The ideal family, nice, the husband and wife, in love, dealing with their problems, the commitment to work, the children and their education, growing up? The popularity of this kind of theme for American audiences?
