Review by Chris Keller If moviegoers were to believe Fox's marketing strategy for Marley & Me, they would expect an out-of-control pooch comedy, ala Beethoven and its infinite sequels. But then again, the Fox advertising department has misled us regarding their movies all year: Meet Dave (they said it was funny!), The Happening (they said it was scary!), Max Payne (they said I wouldn't fall asleep on it - twice!), and so on. Fortunately for everyone, the misdirection in Marley & Me's marketing isn't exactly a bad thing. It actually plays as a testament to the ups and downs of life everyday as husband and wife, parent and child, and pet and owner - i.e., a family. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston play John and Jen Grogan, a newlywed couple eager to start their life together. Due to a freak snowstorm on their wedding day, they are inspired to move to From there, it's off to the races with the hijinks of the titular unruly canine. It just feels like a series of unconnected, mildly amusing disasters surrounding Marley. In fact, this feeling is driven home by having the audience sit through what must be one of the longest montages in cinematic history. And having Owen Wilson, with his gravelly, extremely monotone voice, narrate it like he's checking off a list ("Bought a new pillow, caught Marley eating the pillow, bought another pillow, wrote a column on pillow prices") is just another nail in the bored-out-of-my-mind coffin. Unfortunately, the rest of the film feels like everyone involved is checking off a list. The Grogans have a baby, John gets promoted, Jen quits her job to be a stay at home mom, they have another baby, they move to 2 ½ / 5 stars |
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