Blu-Ray disc movie review of Marley and Me
March 31, 2009
I was kind of surprised at some of the bad reviews of Marley and Me. A lot of the critics have penned this film as overly syrupy fluff not worth the ticket price. And, from a jaded perspective, it might be true. After watching the film, I can whole heartily recommend this film to anyone. The film has its sweet moments. But, it is only part larger picture that includes some touching and sad moments.
The movie is based on the book written by John Grogan, a journalist. It’s a true story about his family’s relationship with the dog named Marley. More importantly, it is the relationship between John and his Dog. Marley, called world’s worst dog, causes a lot of trouble from the start for John and his wife Jenny. The events in their lives are marked with hilarious mishaps caused by Marley. This not another buddy film between a dog and a man. I think it’s an honest portrayal of deep connection between Marley and John. Any dog owners who have ultimately buried their dog can sympathize with this movie.
John Grogan chronicled Marley’s mishaps in the newspaper in Miami and in Philadelphia. Upon Marley’s death, John wrote eulogy that was read by many readers. This prompted John to write the best seller dedicated to his beloved dog. This film might deserve some of the flaks. But, as someone who has owned dogs and various other pets, it’s really easy to love this film. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston do terrific job. But, it’s the dog that takes the central role and center stage. The scene where the dog ultimately dies should put tears on most movie goers.
What do you think about this movie? Please leave your thoughts below.
Click here to buy above blu ray movie at 20% off or more on Amazon.com!!
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Shoot this dog – please!
I have not read the original book, but this movie is the stupidest film I have seen in a long time. The subject, the dog, is a jerk with no redeeming feature whatsoever – at least none demonstrated by the film. This movie is nearly two hours long, spends about an hour and forty minutes demonstrating what a worthless turd he is, and then its final 15 minutes showing the family inexplicably decompensating as he – whom the family has heretofore always regarded as a pain – dies. (And good riddance, I say.) The tear-jerking doesn’t work, because the dog has never been shown to have a single redeeming feature. In any other country in the world, this destructive, stupid, untrainable, unlovable animal would have been eaten about 30 minutes into the film. Then you could have used the next hour and a half of your life for something productive, like looking at a blank wall.
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Warning, this disc will NOT play on your Television DVD or your computer
We ordered this version and found that the second disc would play on our TV, but the movie would not play.
So we tried it on all our computers, same problem would not play on any of them.
Though it would import into iTunes, but what good is that, if your grandkids want to watch the movie on your 40 inch TV.
So its no good to us, though in tiny print on the back of the box, it does say that it will play on ‘portable digital movie players’, so I am donating this to our library.
And we bought a new TV compatible version of Marley and Me at our local WalMart.
I suggested to Amazon rep. that a warning please be placed on the Amazon ordering site for this particular movie, so that people will not fall into the trap that I did.
Jane
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Me or the Dog
Two important issues with this movie:
(1.) The author of the book, the script writer and the director must never have heard of the long running Animal Planet’s “Me or the Dog”. If they had they would not have presented such a misguided movie with regards to understanding and training an out-of-control dog. Which, incidentally, was suppose to be the central element to this story.
(2.) I had this unsettling feeling though out the movie that I was not watching real ordinary people dealing with a dog and life but actors characterizing people in some contrived unrealistic life. I just saw actors. A well directed and acted movie should move you into another world and not make you feel like you’re a director observing acting class.
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BORING….
save your money, buy the book instead …
I saw nothing that made this “the family movie of the year” … the dog certainly didn’t, and neither did Owen nor Jennifer …
what a yawn … I turned it off half way through …
dont waste your time …
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Marley and Me
Marley and Me (Single-Disc Edition)
This movie is not recommended for young children nor sensitive teenagers or adults. This is not a fun, family movie. The ending will probably traumatize your little ones for a long time. It will bring tears to the eyes of sensitive teenagers and adults. Memories of the ending of this movie only makes me re-live having to euthanize two of my pets. Recommendations to the Amazon.com staff—-you rate the movies before you sell them on your website. (Not a movie for young children because of the ending.)
Sheila
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Good Adaption
I love the book. The movie is good. I am not sure why I am not giving four stars. I think Wilson and Aniston did well; however, I think they are miscaste. Their star power gets in away of this small movie about a dog. The plot in the book meanders some, but in a movie it drags down the pacing. I did like Wilson’s line how he keeps surprising himself is a nice little theme of the movie. Arkin as the editor displays curmudgeon-like charm as the editor. Kathleen Turner brings a smile in a good comedic cameo as a overbearing dog trainer early in the movie.
The movie is a family movie, but it is about the entire life a dog. Parents need to be prepared to talk about how all pets eventually die after viewing the movie. I grew up with “Old Yeller.” Children today can handle pets dying.
I enjoyed the movie, but I kept thinking it could have been better. I am not sure how. The actors and the dogs are all charming in their roles. The movie is a good adaption of a very good book. I recommend it warmly.
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If you loved the book you may not like the movie
I was not impressed with the movie. I loved the book and I thought the movie did not do it justice.
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Just ordered this double DVD love the movie..
I live in Australia and we won’t get this DVD for a while, so i have just ordered it through Amazon..
I sat and cried and laughed through the movie, I loved it. It was very emotional at the end, and having gone through this, it isn’t easy to watch, but I really feel this is a warm happy movie if you love dogs
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It’s all about the looooove!
Everyone who owned and loved a pet at some point in their life will be touched by that movie…
There is no suspence, no great story line, no spectacular ending Hollywood style… It is just so human and down to what matters most in life.
I was so overwelmed I couldn’t stop crying… And Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston did a great job at being ordinary people
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Excellent
Didn’t read the book but am familiar with the premise. Great movie about a couple who marry and begin their lives together, and decide to start their family off with a rambunctious but loveable dog. Kids come along as the years go by and the dog grows along with them, as much a part of the family as the kids.
Of course, a dog’s lifespan being what it is, the Grogans must say goodbye to Marley at the end of the movie, and some reviewers don’t like that this situation was depicted in such a realistic fashion. This is like being upset that the boat sinks at the end of “Titanic”. The ending of “Marley & Me” was a punch in the gut to me, but life does that to you. It’s real. I say this as a person who knows what it’s like to bury the beloved family dog in the back yard. So I admire the filmmakers for playing it real instead of fudging over Marley’s departure from this life.
And Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson are terrific. They should do more pictures together, because they have a thing together onscreen that is fun to watch.
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Loved the book, loved the movie
I read the book when it first came out. Oh, how I loved it, every page of it! Marley reminded me so much of my late Golden Retriever – the mischievous puppyhood, the easy-going adult years, the slower-paced – albeit with occasional bursts of energy and puppy-like playfulness – senior years… I could really relate to the author’s experiences, and I laughed and cried out loud when reading the book. It took me straight back to the years I shared with my dog, I re-lived all the laughs and frustrations we had, and yes, also the inevitable grief at the end. Sad as it is, everything and everyone dies, that’s just life.
I was so excited when I heard few months later that the movie was being made! I usually end up liking the books a lot more than the pictures, and I was prepared for some disappointment, but I was anxiously waiting for the movie anyway. However, I must admit that I was a little worried when I started to see the billboards and ads with the adorable Lab puppy that shelters will be full of discarded Labs in a few months… I was very relieved that the movie stayed exceptionally true to the original story and that it didn’t have a fake happy ending!!! The movie really shows what life with a dog is like: lots of fun and games, but also tons of responsibility and expense; unconditional love and ample laughs, but also plenty of anguish and heartache. (I hope all the would-be dog abandoners got discouraged by Marley and did NOT rush to pet shops to buy puppymill products after seeing this movie!)
I never go to see any movie on the opening weekend but I made an exception for Marley. (I took a pack of tissues with me because I knew I would need them.) I laughed until my cheeks were hurting, and I cried my eyes out at the end, but it left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling, and most importantly – it made me realize how much I missed having a dog and for the first time in 6 months felt ready for a new furry family member. (I started to look for a new dog the next day and found her 2 weeks later.)
I loved the movie just as much as I loved the book, and I just ordered the DVD, so I can watch Marley again with my dog at the comfort of our home.
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A Great Movie That Was Misleading In The Previews
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and applaud the director and writers for staying true to the book,a rarity these days.Being a dog lover I loved that they did not go with the “Disney” ending that happens with all kids/family movies but I do feel there should have been some hint to the ending in the previews.I can understand how that could be very unsettling for children as it was for me and I’m a grown man.
All in all I felt it was a great movie and one that I heavily recommend,but warn people of the end.
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A good Slap Upside the Head for Kids…
The Marley and Me DVD is a good buy for people who like this type of film. It has plenty of extras, everything you want to know about this mediocre film. So what is the big deal about this movie?
For me, as someone who owned/trained dogs, bad dogs have bad owners. Stunts that this mutt pulls would be extremely dangerous for real and would be a sign of some kind of doggy brain damage. So, this movie was not very funny in my opinion.
Owen Wilson – now he is working with animals; from Eddie Murphy to Jackie Chan, now pairing up with a (non-talking) dog. Next it will be puppets..
The ending – I knew this was coming, since the movie manages not to be about anything so the ending had to grab you emotionally somehow. Not for little kids (who will want to see this film).
Maybe the sequel will be better: “Where is that B@^#%!” – Starring Michael Vic and his dog “Bait”.
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Moving, enjoyable and heartbreaking! Are you ready for for a film that is one heck of an emotional rollercoaster?
Moving, enjoyable and heartbreaking! Are you ready for for a film that is one heck of an emotional roller coaster? `Marley & Me’ is no doubt going to make the dog lover in you, laugh and cry!
“Marley & Me” is film based on a New york Times bestselling autobiographical book by journalist John Grogan in 2005. The film is directed by David Frankel (“The Devil Wears Prada” and has directed television episodes for “Entourage “, “Sex and the City” and “Band of Brothers” with a screenplay by Scott Frank (“The Intepreter”, “Minority Report”) and Don Roose (“Bounce”, “Single White Female”).
The film is about John Grogan (Owen Wilson) and Jennifer Grogan (Jennifer Aniston), two writers who are just married and they begin their years as reporters in Florida. But before they have any children, Jennifer starts off with plants and then the couple move on to adopting a golden retriever who John names Marley (after reggae legend Bob Marley).
Marley is an active, always hungry, strong, quick and somewhat of a hyper dog who loves attention from his owners. Of course, this leads Marley to causing a lot of trouble from breaking things in the home, eating the cushions of pillows and the couch, in one scene eating a gold necklace given as a present from John to Jennifer and even getting kicked out of obedience school. But despite the trouble he may have caused, both John and Jennifer love Marley as part of the family.
But the overall film features on the 13-years of the Grogan family and growing up with Marley.
What works for this film is that it strikes the right chords for any couple or family that has had a pet in their life and knowing the love (and sometimes trouble) that a pet could bring into ones life, but cherishing the moment that the pet is with you, just like a family member. From the beginning of when they were puppies to the end of a dog’s life.
“Marley & Me” is given special treatment in the Blu-ray release from 20th Century Fox as we are given a total of three discs. The first disc is the Blu-ray, the second disc is a DVD and the third is a digital copy of the film.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
“Marley & Me” looks absolute beautiful on Blu-ray. With so much of the film shot outdoors and during the day and in a variety of locations capturing the beach life, the rains and even snow in Philadelphia, the film is just vibrant in colors and with the video featured in widescreen 2:35:1 at 1080p, overall I was impressed of how vibrant this film looked. Director of Photography Florian Ballhaus has experience shooting beautiful scenes from working on a film like “Devil Wears Prada” to working on television series such as “Sex and the City”. He manages to capture the mood, the action and the whole vibe of Florida and then later in Philadelphia. There were a lot of shots filmed for “Marley & Me”, especially during a segment where the film tries to explain how the couple has grown and as does Marley. Overall, “Marley & Me” is very colorful and beautiful picture quality.
As for audio, audio is presented in DTS HD 5.1 Master Lossless Audio. The film is primarily a dialogue-based film but also utilizes a great deal of music. So, you really get a good projection from your front channel and center speakers when it comes to hearing the audio. The Blu-ray also comes with the Spanish, French and Portuguese audio track in 5.1 Dolby Surround.
The film is subtitled in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean and Portuguese.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
For the special features of “Marley & Me”, the following features are included on the Blu-ray Disc:
* Dog Training Trivia Track – When this is selected, you can watch the film with pop up trivia and facts about dogs. Plus picture-in-picture videos with interviews with the trainers of the 22 dogs used in the film.
* 19 Deleted Scenes With Director, David Frankel Commentary – About 26 minutes in all, the deleted scenes features optional commentary by Director David Frankel. Deleted scenes include shots with Marley as a puppy but since the focus was to showcase the family and Marley grown up, the puppy scenes were cut. Also, scenes with the couple’s neighbors were deleted due to pacing and also what was important in the storyline.
* Finding Marley featurette – An eight minute featurette with an Interview with trainer Mark Forbes and other trainers in regarding using 22 dogs who were Marley. Half were puppies and half were older dogs. Some were able to do scenes such as peeing on cue, humping on cue, etc.
* Breaking the Golden Rule featurette – An eight minute featurette featuring interviews with Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Kathleen Turner and others in regarding to working with children, working with dogs, about raising families and what made “Marley & Me” special.
* On Set with Marley: Dog of All Trades featurette – A near three minute featurette featuring an interview with Marley. An interviewer interviews Marley with text bubbles shown above the dog.
* Animal Adoption featurette – A five minute featurette about animal adoption with an interview with Dr. Pia Salk and tips on adopting a dog and also how purebreds can be found at animal shelters and how many shelters have improved over the years.
* Gag Reel – A six minute gag reel featuring the group having fun on set and messing up on their lines.
* When Not to Pee featurette- A two minute featurette about the segment featuring Marley having to pee in the Grogan’s home after they return from Ireland. The film used two dogs. Clyde as the primary dog during this segment. But since he can not pee on cue, the golden lab Brody was used. The film was difficult to shoot and the featurette was about how difficult it was to get that one shot.
JUDGMENT CALL:
I have to admit that watching “Marley & Me” was very difficult (mainly at the end).
Like the Grogan couple, I’m sure many couples can put themselves in the shoes of the Grogan’s of raising dogs before children and for many years, the dog is part of your family and over the years, watching the animal grow. But it’s when the dog gets older and you notice how difficult it becomes for them to walk, to jump and its a very sad situation to watch your dog struggling to do things that you would remember them doing for so many years. But of course, it’s the saying goodbye to your dog when it’s their time, that makes it so difficult and from my situation with my dog, it was nearly the exact same situation. The feeling of being powerless but knowing that you want your dog to no longer suffer.
So, “Marley & Me” is a moving, hilarious and heartbreaking film. It’s definitely an emotional roller coaster of a film that you probably will want to have the tissue box nearby because if you are a pet owner or have lost a pet, those emotions will just come back and tug at your heart.
As for the acting, personally I found Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston fun to watch onscreen. I’ve read a few reviews of the film when it was first released and it seems you have those who had pets really enjoying the film and those who never had pets wanting to see more focus on the couple. Both talents have always been known for their work in romantic comedies but both had significant emotional scenes and for the most part I feel the pulled it off. For Owen Wilson, you get that sense of sarcastic bad boy from his “Bottle Rocket” to “Wedding Crashers” years but in the end, I felt he did a good job.
The film is not a film that has a deep storyline or a significant plot. It’s a story about life and a couple starting off as a married couple, raising a dog before they have children, the complications of balancing job and parental duties and financial worries. These are experiences that many people can easily understand.
If there was anything that I did have a problem with the film is that at 115 minutes, it was a bit long. And the fact that the film had so many deleted scenes, it could have gone longer. But I’m sure it was difficult for Director David Frankel to decide what to edit out. Because there were some deleted scenes that go into character development of John, Jennifer and even the neighbors and so, for pacing reasons, a lot was cut out already. After watching the film, I wouldn’t know where would I begin to cut out 10-15 minutes more.
Also, another problem was having Eric Dane’s character of Sebastian who was important in the first half, all of a sudden being thrown into the second half. Personally, it was scene that could have easily eliminated a bit of time in the final cut but I suppose the director wanted to show the difference of what if John chose career over family and pursued a similar life that Sebastian has lived.
But overall, I enjoyed “Marley and Me”. And on Blu-ray, the film really shines because high definition brings out the vibrancy of the film. It’s a colorful film and it just looks absolutely beautiful on Blu-ray.
Bundled with plenty of special features and the fact that the film does come with a DVD (for those long commutes for the family) and also a digital copy, you definitely get a good deal with this Blu-ray release and I can only hope that 20th Century Fox continues with the 3-disc treatment for their Blu-rays (as long as it’s priced affordably for the consumer).
There have been quite a good number of dog films with a similar feel of growing up with a dog such as the Japanese film “Quill” (which I highly recommend) and the film “My Dog Skip”. But “Marley & Me” is a film that is just fun to watch but also is going to make you cry.
I enjoyed the film and if you are a dog owner/lover, I think that you will enjoy this film too! “Marley & Me: 3-Disc Bad Dog Edition” is definitely recommended!
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Great Movie
!!!WARNING: SPOILERS!!!
If you go into the movie expecting a comedy about a family and a dog and a happy-go-lucky ending, you might be disappointed. If you go into the movie with the understanding that the movie is basically a portrayal of a dog’s life, you will have better understanding of what to expect and might enjoy the movie.
I never read the book, which I would now like to do, but based on what I saw from the movie I have to say I really enjoyed it. I might be a little biased, however, because I went into the movie expecting the worst. I was already told beforehand what will happen to Marley at the end, but what I wasn’t told was how it would happen. As I was watching the movie, I kept expecting some untimely tragic accident to take Marley’s life which would have made it more heartwrenching, but that wasn’t the case. The dog was eventually put down, yes, but that was because he was old, he had lived his life to the fullest. And for people who are upset over this, they need to realize that nothing lasts forever, unfortunately, but as I mentioned before the movie portrays the dog’s life from infancy to old age, and yes, death is part of old age. I’ve had a few good dogs die on me, some before there time, and sometimes the hardest thing a person has to decide is when to let their best friend go.
Another thing I wanted to point out is that they all had their second chance. They could have easily ended the movie with Marley’s first visit to the hospital, but he came out of that okay. Sometimes that’s all a person needs, is just a second chance to spend with somebody or something they love, to make amends for anything they might have done, and to say good-bye. I know what a second chance feels like because I’ve been there. And sometimes that second chance makes it easier to let go when it’s finally time.
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