Marley & Me on DVD
In case you missed it in the theaters, or if you saw it in the theaters, but want to see it again, Marley & Me is out on DVD today. The Baltimore Sun's Chris Kaltenbach offers this review:
Finally, a dog film that understands the bond between man and canine...doesn't exploit it, doesn't mock it, doesn't pretend it's more or less than what it is, doesn't milk it for mawkish sentiment. Marley & Me, which arrives on DVD shelves Tuesday, is about a couple and their dog. It's not filled with heroic events (Marley's no Lassie), or ceaselessly cute puppies. There's no talking dogs, no dog vs. cat staredowns. There's just a man and his wife, and the dog they come to love.
Based on the best-selling book by newspaper columnist John Grogan (the "Me" in the title), Marley & Me stars Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston and 22 different white Labs who get to play Marley at different times during his 14-year lifespan. The film is joyous and forgiving (Marley, as John likes to put it, is the world's worst dog), celebratory and sympathetic. It's adorable when Marley first arrives as a puppy, endearing as he grows into a big, lovable oaf, celebratory as the family keeps growing, and heartbreaking as the relationship comes to its inevitable end.
This is not the film to watch if you don't want to be seen crying. The disc includes plenty of extras: outtakes, deleted scenes (most removed because they interfered with the film's comic pacing, according to director David Frankel), a look at some of the dogs who got to play Marley, a look at the movie and the movie-making through Marley's eyes. The extras are OK, but the film's a gem. See it with some mutt you love.
Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox
Comments
we bought this movie and absolutely fell in love with it marley is a very funny and touching movie it is a must see everyone should go out and buy it i did not go to the movies just waited for it to come out on video and bought it and dont regret it one bit my kids and husband loved it
Posted by: andrea | April 3, 2009 9:40 AM
sounds really cool but when does it come out in Scotland? Marley is sooo cute and I absolutely love it but I was in floods about it because my bezzie had a dog exactly the same when she was young and he was run over by a car!!!
Posted by: Abby Kikke | April 4, 2009 11:48 AM
We lost our golden lab almost 2 years ago, the love of my life and our basset hounds life. He morns her death just as much as we do, each day he carries his supper dish out to the pet pillow where she died. Don't think they don't morn, they do. Lady was so much like Marley. We cried like babies when she passed away, just like Marley. What an honest, funny, touching movie, no silly talking dogs, with no plot, just a wonderful part of our lives. The director touched the very heart of owning and loving a dog, thank you. This movie is must buy, lady waited till I got home from work and then passed away. My heart still aches.
Diana, I am so sorry for your loss. Lady sounded like a wonderful dog. MC
Posted by: Diana Kuhn | April 4, 2009 4:23 PM
Anyone who has ever loved a dog has to watch this, but have lots of tissues ready.
Posted by: Deb | April 6, 2009 9:06 AM
i went thru a very painful loss of a pet last fall and couldn't bear to see the movie when it came out in December, but i just finished the book - and it was so cathartic. John Grogan's heartfelt account of marley's impact on his family helped me finally release the sadness i've been carrying around all these months over my dog, Buddy. Hurray for Marley and all the wonderfully zany pets who share our lives- however briefly! I can't wait to rent the DVD and could not imagine more perfect casting than Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston! Jenny Grogan's dead-pan one-liners were my favorite part of the book!
Posted by: Lisa | April 6, 2009 3:07 PM
Hi,
I wanted to tell all dog and cat owners of a new site I found about a month ago, it's called, http://www.frescopet.com. They sell fragrant tags that attach to the collar, and provides a nice soft scent to your pet. I purchased a couple of the coconut Frescopets for my lab Hershey. She now has a soft coconut scent in between baths. Check out
the site. ;) Anabelle..
Posted by: anabelle | April 10, 2009 3:41 PM
I have gotta say this was the worst movie I have ever seen! I bought it on dvd and that was a waste because it's not the kind of movie you would ever want to watch again! the story of the guys life was not interesting at all! the only good parts were when Marley was getting into trouble! Then comes the zinger Marley painfully dies of bloat! This was advertised as if it were a comedy! I don't find dieing dogs humorous! nor did my 7 year old daughter who for 3 days after seeing this movie has been sad and depressed! please do not let your child watch this! Have yourself prepared for the end if you own and love a pet yourself!
Posted by: CHRISTINA | April 13, 2009 12:57 PM
hey
just watched the flix of Marley...yes he was cute but the dying part was sad...part of life I guess...why dose Jen feel she needs to remove her clothes in all of her movies. I thought it was a family viewing. Owen was true to life...dealing with kids and a job. That rang true for me.
Posted by: lori | April 15, 2009 7:36 AM
I'm not going to go on and on but i have only but a few words ....marley and me .....was riveting...emotionally connecting to self and precious.I have to say though....i am real put-off by anabelle and your comments....about how you have the audacity to say that this is "the worse movie you have ever seen"...there is something seriously wrong with you if you didn't get the meaning behind this warm and moving film then you need NOT have your own any kind whatsoever animal...you're pathetic.....your comment is "the worse remark i have ever heard from someone who clearly has no idea what class is all about...get a grip.
Posted by: Rich | June 19, 2009 3:25 PM