3.5 stars (out of five). Rating: PG, for unflinching encounters with doggy doo
By Derrick Bang • Originally published in The Davis Enterprise, 12.31.08
Buy DVD: Marley & Me
• Buy Blu-Ray: Marley & Me (Three-Disc Bad Dog Edition) [Blu-ray]
"A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things: a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty."
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| Among his many eccentricities, Marley turns out to be terrified of thunderstorms ... a rather frequent phenomenon in Florida. The Grogans discover this the hard way, after leaving their young pooch on his own in the garage for a few hours. They return to a scene of destruction that one would not have thought possible, from a single dog. |
Newspaper columnist Josh Grogan wrote Marley & Me
as a tribute to a dog cheerfully described as the worst dog in the world ... but also treasured as the best friend he ever had. The best-selling memoir struck a familiar chord with readers across the country and even around the world, many of whom have watched warily as director David Frankel's film adaptation took shape and made its way to the big screen. While perhaps not as numerous as Harry Potter or Star Trek fans, dog lovers are no less devoted; one crosses them at one's own peril.
The casting announcement was greeted with skepticism. Although Jennifer Aniston is a reasonable choice as Grogan's wife, Jenny, Owen Wilson is more problematic as Josh. Wilson's track record has been uneven, to say the least; that aside, he's known for eccentric, goofball roles that he rarely takes seriously.
And Wilson's involvement suggested the worst of possibilities: that Marley's demolition-derby behavior, in order to better mesh with his human co-star's manner, might be escalated to the wincing absurdities of Disney's worst 1970s slapstick animal comedies.
Happily, this adaptation of Marley & Me does not fall into that trap.
Frankel, who helmed the adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada
, clearly understands the dividing line between enough and too much. Although Marley's destructive tendencies certainly occupy much of Grogan's book, they are by no means the meat of the story, which concerns Josh and Jenny as much as it does their canine companion. Frankel follows that lead; Marley is one of three major characters in this film, not its overly conspicuous prime focus. Frankel also maintains the proper balance of gentle romantic comedy and canine hijinks, and scripters Scott Frank and Don Roos retain all the key events — happy, sad and funny — that made Grogan's book such a delightful read.
Even Wilson clearly strives to step into his character's earnest shoes, although that does raise a fresh problem: He lacks the acting chops for a story presented even this breezily. Although playing a real-world guy, Wilson approaches every scene with the same slightly dazed expression, as if he's waiting for some muse to show him how to properly compose his face.
And the notion of Wilson as a serious journalist? Don't even get me started.
, director Fred Zinnemann's brilliant adaptation of Frederick Forsyth's 
, which detailed a plot to assassinate Charles De Gaulle. Notwithstanding the obvious fact that De Gaulle never was assassinated, we actually began to worry, as professional killer Edward Fox went through all his meticulous preparations, that we might have misremembered history. 
(2006) and 
(2007). Indeed, this new film re-unites Smith with director Gabriele Muccino, with whom the impressively bankable star made Happyness.
into even a modest hit isn't a mere mortal; he's a cinematic force of nature. 
. Properly employed, this sort of technique can drive and shape an already intriguing storyline ... but Grant Nieporte's script for Seven Pounds lacks the density necessary for so much narrative trickery. 
• Buy Blu-Ray: 
, is a gorgeous visual experience: a sumptuous animated fable — in a wholly unique style, reminiscent of Flemish painters such as Vermeer and Brueghel — that employs an impeccably selected voice cast to deliver a clever fairy tale filled with colorful characters, and punctuated by several gently delivered morals. 
and Pixar's 
have reached movie screens, and one can't help comparing the rats-and-cooking focus of Despereaux with the latter. 
.
and continued through 
and last year's gawdawful 
— with 
the only ray of, well, sunshine — I'm happy to report that Jim Carrey is back. 
, 
and 
.
and Eternal Sunshine.
, one of the few palatable Will Ferrell comedies. Deschanel's measured snarkiness helps ground the puffed-up tendencies of her high-profile co-stars; she has both a deadpan stare and comic timing to die for. 
) and Rooney (Danny Masterson).