Review: Marley and Me

Review: Marley and Me

Rating: **1/2

Nonna's Rating: $$

Rotten Tomatoes: 60%

This film earns **1/2 not because it is exceptionally well written or well-acted, but because it's one of those rare movies adults can actually enjoy along with their children -- well, at least children who are a bit older and can handle some scenes guaranteed to get the tears flowing . It's engaging enough. Jennifer Anniston dutifully delivers her lines in a part (the wife) that's not particularly challenging or very different from anything else she's played. Owen Wilson, who seems to inspire either a "love him" or "hate him"response from moviegoers, manages to be his charming self and sets us up for a surprisingly philosophical -- and close to profound -- ending. Even though I'm not a dog owner, I was sucked into the sentimental appeal of the frustrating-but-lovable-puppy story. For about 20 minutes after the movie, I thought seriously about getting a dog -- that's how charming the film is. I was able to overcome my temporary insanity however.

Marley and Me has managed to do almost $150 million in U.S. box office receipts since its release at the end of 2008. Certainly, there's a natural appeal to dog owners, but that alone doesn't explain the film's success. When all is said and done, it's simply a charming film -- the kind people will buy for their video libraries. And they'll tell themselves they know what's coming, so they'll be convinced they won't cry. And then they'll find themselves weeping through the end -- the same way they do every time they view it.

Nonna's Ratings:

$$$$ = Worth paying the Friday evening price
$$$= Worth paying the Matinee price
$$= Worth a rental
$ = Wait for cable
# = Skip it