MOVIE REVIEW - Marley And Me

One of the most heartfelt books in many years finally comes to the big screen this week in the form of Marley And Me. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Anniston star, along with Marley in this bound to be huge family movie of the holiday season.

Marley and Me is the story of two young newspaper writers who begin their marriage in South Florida, and the first addition to their young family is a young Labrador puppy, Marley. They buy Marley from a rescue and get him at a clearance price of two hundred dollars. Marley quickly becomes in their words, the worlds worst dog. Marley is certainly a handful.

Marley never gets over his fears of thunderstorms, chewing things, eating things, and generally being a pain in the neck. The story chronicles the life of a dog, and his relationship to their growing family. Marley is there for the birth of their three children, and through the ups and downs of their marriage. He's part of the overall plan. He moves with them, and goes through it all with them. It makes you stop and take notice, that no matter how much change goes on in your life, your dog is right there with you, and he/she still, loves you through it all.

M&M, is a very nice, moving and emotional movie. Very funny moments give way to some real sad ones as well. It follows a dog through his natural life, which of course is too short, and guides us through how we feel about our own dogs. Many times we don't we don't give it much thought. M&M makes you think about it a little harder. Dogs today are really more than just pets, they are family members, and Marley certainly can teach us that.

Marley and Me does have a problem or two, but nothing that diminishes it's value. It may be 15 minutes too long, and there is a time when it's gets a bit draggy. For some reason it turns into a human relationship movie, and Marley gets about 2o minutes off. That really didn't work for me. I understand you can only show a dog chewing so many things, but I felt M&M loses is focus for a time. BUT the end payoff is worth it. Word to the easily boo-hooey. The end of this movie is very emotional. Lot's of sobbing, and sniffing in the packed theater, tissues required.

Marley And Me. Not perfect, but well worth it. To it's credit it's a really great family movie, that's not animated, and it is right on target. All good movies start with a great story, and this is a great story. Dog lovers unite. Marley And Me..... two paws up!