Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Eric Dane

An ambitious young reporter, John Grogan, and his wife, Jenny, also a reporter, move to a Florida, buy a house and adopt a Labrador puppy they name Marley. Marley quickly becomes a rollicking force of...( read more  read more... ) nature in their lives.

Flixster Users

77% liked it

232,137 ratings

Critics

61% liked it

123 critics

PG, 2 hrs.

Directed by: David Frankel

Release Date: December 25, 2008

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DVD Release Date: March 31, 2009

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Flixster Reviews (29,961)


  • October 1, 2009
    Well, where do I start. Firstly, I loved the book. I couldn't put it down and I blubbed my eyes out at the end (embarrassing, as I was on a crowded Greek beach at the time). It?s such a simple but lovely story of a man, his dog and a young family. An easy story to adapt into a fi...( read more)lm. Well, I respect that no film is easy to make and there is the saying 'Never work with Children or Animals' but come on, this film is nothing like the book! The casting of Owen Wilson is puzzling. I like Mr Wilson but I'm afraid he couldn't have been further from the character he was portraying if he tried! Aniston is OK as it goes but her character is given far too much screen time due to the fact she?s quite famous and expensive. The film tells little of the true story and misses out on all the really good bits and then, for reasons that are totally beyond me, makes up stuff! It?s so unnecessary! The book is nice and simple and that's half its beauty! The film is structured very badly, the direction is nothing special and only Alan Arkin really shines, albeit, in a character that's not really in the book. Speaking of which, what was the point of Eric Dane? Why? Apparently they used 35 different dogs, I believe it, I could point them all out to you as none of them looked the same! The last poor dog (Death dog), was actually a Greyhound with cotton wool stuck to it! The stabbing scene, Aunt coming to stay, parts with his dad, all great parts to the story either missing or portrayed badly in the film. So that brings me to the ending. Ugh, the books version was perfect. Just one line was needed in the book to sum up the whole story and it was perfect. So what do they do in the film, Owen Wilson blubs incoherently, I love you, love you so much, don't die! Please, did anyone working on this film actually read the book? I didn't feel an ounce of emotion I did reading the book. I didn't really care that Marley had died as he wasn't really in the film. All you got was a slightly retarded and emotionless mutt. far from the real Marley! It?s just rubbish. My favourite scene has got to be when they are in the car at the airport. It?s raining but you can quite clearly see people in shorts and t-shirts lapping up the sun outside. Be ashamed everybody involved, you have made a terrible film that should have been an easy dead cert! idiots! If you haven't already done so, read the book! Oh, and can Hollywood stop spoon feeding us, we get it and we can read! Well, some of us can anyway!
  • September 11, 2009
    I found myself being a little annoyed with this movie in the beginning because they didn't make a very good effort to train Marley.
    However, I enjoyed watching him grow with his family over the years.
    The ending was a real tear-jerker!
  • August 9, 2009
    "A dog doesn't care if your rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he'll give you his. How many people can you say that about?"

    To be honest, I wasn't that anxious to see this film. Why is that? Well, the first reason that comes in mind is the cas...( read more)t. Wilson and Aniston are nice actors but I've seen a bit too much of 'em lately. And I really couldn't give a flying fuck about her baby plans or whom she's dating... I'll give my main reason at the end.

    John and Jenny Grogan are a good looking, recently married young couple. Of course it's logical to plan a future with a house, kids and a dog. They just happen to choose a discount Labrador puppy, that turns out to be "the world's worst dog". Little do they know that Marley will bring the best out of 'em...

    'Marley and Me' is a so called nice film. It has well known performers that will guarantee a good time. The story has its funny moments but also many heartwarming scenes that will surely jerk some tears out of you. If you have a heart, that is...

    The performers do a decent job but I especially want to mention an old favourite of mine, Kathleen Turner. Nice to see her again on the big screen. Almost forgot her completely but when I saw her, she brought a lot of good memories from my movie past. Another good performer is Alan Arkin. These two end up stealing the film from its biggest stars.

    Now, the main reason why I didn't almost see 'Marley and Me'... The dog. I love dogs, always had dogs and always will. But you all know what will happen in the movie that features a dog. I'm not gonna mention it, because I don't wanna "spoil" it for you. But I've seen so many dog movies in the past and I always see myself crying like a fuckin' baby in the end. Friends come and go but your true friend, your best friend will never leave you alone. It'll stay with you til the end, listen to your worries and joys...

    'Marley and Me' is a good movie for a romantic night with your companion. It'll bring you laughter and tears. What more could you ask for? But it doesn't bring anything new to the genre, seen it all before just in different ways.
  • August 9, 2009
    A well scripted, well acted film which offers some insight to just how important a part our pets are to us. Nicely put together film which is enjoyable enough, but be prepared to have your emotions placed in free fall.
  • July 21, 2009
    sad. STUPID DOG!
  • November 20, 2009
    Boring from start to finish.
  • November 20, 2009
    Great documentary film about this reporter and his journal of him and his dog.
  • November 19, 2009
    Not sure why so many people said this is a very good movie. May be I do not have a dog.
  • November 17, 2009
    awesome movie !! shows u the real life is !!
    actually i do think that maybe a Dog could be better than most of people !!
    wt a lucky animal HE is ! :)
    gr8 act for Aniston i believe her part was very effective !!
  • November 16, 2009
    Fantastic movie! Here's a film filled with absolute hilarity and heartrending moments. It centralizes around a couple who decide in the early stage of marriage on getting a puppy. In the bargain, the puppy is playful, mischievous, and adorable. Over time, the mirthful puppy beco...( read more)mes a full grown dog and the couple begin to have children. The family is finally complete. Great music. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston stars. Definitely worthy!

Critic Reviews


December 29, 2008
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

Frankel turns the camera toward the canines as frequently as possible, but too often we're stuck with Wilson and Aniston's bland characters. You wonder if it might have been better to let sleeping dog... full review

December 29, 2008
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

The movie is ultimately less about the pain of loss than about the way families often take shape around a pet. full review

December 29, 2008
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

David Frankel adapts John Grogan's sentimental bestseller with no artistic pretensions beyond alternately making you feel like your heart is caving in, then injecting you with a gigantic syringe of go... full review

December 29, 2008
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

The production manages, against heavy odds, to make its canine star an incorrigible bore. The problem is bad parenting. full review

December 29, 2008
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Animal lovers will probably enjoy the movie, which has more appeal than the majority of its fellow Christmas Day cinematic arrivals. full review

December 29, 2008
Andrea Gronvall, Chicago Reader

Doesn't consistently capture the book's personable tone. full review

December 29, 2008
Chris Kaltenbach, The Baltimore Sun

I swear, my handkerchief was only out because I've been fighting a cold the past few days. full review

December 25, 2008
Austin Chronicle, Austin Chronicle

Ostensibly a story about a mad, bad, dangerous-to-walk dog, Marley & Me has far more to say about the bonds that make up the modern American family. full review

December 24, 2008
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Marley's misadventures play like a TV movie, never reaching the heights of such endearing canine-centered films as 2000's My Dog Skip. full review

December 24, 2008
Kyle Smith, New York Post

I said to Lady, "It's a labra-bore"/She said, "Scout, you overpraise." full review

View more Marley & Me reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • sportboy
    October 26, 2009
    Its a really good film.
    Everyone who hasn't seen it should I saw it in cinemas and hadn't laughed so much in cinemas for a while.
  • mjpadbill
    June 20, 2009
    This is better than the old movie titled Old yeller
  • 31HULT18
    April 15, 2009
    Greatest movie I have ever seen about a puppy to full grown dog, it reminds me of my old dog that was just like Marley his name was Tex though. I love the walk at the end.
  • marilu1027
    April 7, 2009
    I LOVE IT
  • muffintopbrown
    April 6, 2009
    WELL GEE I HAVNT SEEN THE MOVIE YET I LOVE DOGS THEY ARE SO CUTE. THAT 2 OPIONS TO THE MOVIE THEY DIDNT LIKE IT. OH WELL U CANT PLEAS EVRYO0NE.
  • AsianNorthOfThailandGeneration
    January 22, 2009
    Glitter Graphics

    Glitter You Rock Graphics


    Do you know ? I'm wishing would like to been thier at the theatre to watch it this film . & I'm 'll do it. Coz i'm would like to know about it funny&exciting with 'em actions on the film
  • rex889
    January 21, 2009
    UNa película muy Buena
    recomendable, no solo es Comedia, si no tambien que es muy sentimental. y deja un buen mensaje

    A film very good
    recommended, is not just comedy, but also it's very sentimental. and leave a good message
  • shifobasha
    January 15, 2009
    OH MY GOD...!! it's the most boring movie i have ever saw..!! i was just thinking of leaving it near the end but i was curious if it 'll gets intEresting ..!! but surprise...!! it didn't.. it's a REAL WASTE OF TIME .. NO STORY..NO POINT ..NO COMEDY..NOR DRAMA..REALLY NOTHING .. I WISH I CAN JUST KNOW WHATS THE POINT OF THE MOVIE ???
    I AM SO SORRY FOR JENIFER ANISTON ... SHE SHOULD HAVE NEVER PARTICIPATED IN SUCH A NONSENSE MOVIE .. I REALLY LOVE HER TOUGH ..
    I WOULD DEFINETLY NOT RECOMMEND IT ..NOT EVEN F UR EXTREMLY BORED..!! I AM SORRY
  • suhedreams
    January 12, 2009
    Marley and Me is boring, repetitive, long, no real substance, not funny, not a comedy, not a drama, struggles in between, characters undeveloped, just a big waste of time!! not recommended!!
  • marley1561
    December 18, 2008
    Here is a cute Facebook application for any Marley & Me fan. Marley will find you gift recommendations for all your Facebook friends:

    http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=34359082998#/apps/application.php?id=34359082998

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Marley & Me Trivia


  • In Marley and Me who chewed the floor tile?  Answer »
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