Ok, I'll be the first to say (who knows? Maybe the only.), but I did like Marley and Me a lot. It's not particularly well directed (Frankel's tendency to zoom in and out is far from elegant) and Kathleen Turner's quasi-cameo is embarassing. Having said that, the film does built a lot of momentum, Aniston is very good in it (not exagerating on her big dramatic scenes, but just finding the right tone) and Wilson is always likable (although he's not a good dramatic actor; in one of his "big" scenes, they have to cut to Aniston to show us her REACTING to HIS reaction, which is kept off-screen).
And although I laughed just a couple of times (and always in response to Alan Arkin's lines), I did cry at the end. And I do think that family grows on us during the film.
Yes, like I said, I liked the film quite a lot, to my immense surprise.
Oh, and Marley? The most surprising thing is that he's NOT the center of the film; he's just there, acting as normal dog. Frankel doesn't even overuse the "reaction shot" that is so common on animal-"starred" films. And if Marley becomes an appealing character, that's just because we see him through the family's eyes.
Every time I see this trailer, I just can't believe this got made. If this was 1976, fine, but it's not. I mean, Wilson & Aniston are not huge movie stars, but they're established entities, and their new project together is about a ornery yet lovable dog? That's the best each of them could do? Really? I mean, I know they've each done some junk of late, but come on...this is the script that jumps out at them? What's next - Vince Vaughn & Reese Witherspoon in a crappy X-Mas picture? Oh, wait....
Posted by 115thDreamer at December 19, 2008 5:40 PM
comment #8
The Hey says ...
When I go to the kid over the holiday I will ask: Do you want to see the movie with the dog that dies or the one that has the dancing guinea pig? I think alot of other parents will do the same.
I know that shielding kids from the realities of live like dying dogs is probably wrong, but I just feel that the holidays are not the right time for them.
Watched a documentary on TCM the other night about Disney live action films. The bastards showed the rabies scene from Old Yeller almost in its entirety. It's still just about the most gut-wrenching scene in movie history. Disney has the reputation for being saccharine sweet, but when he wanted to twist the knife, damn.
I've actually heard this isn't bad at all -- the trailers and posters make it seems like Beethoven, but I've heard it's a decent, harmless romantic/family comedy. I mean, I'll never touch it, but Emmanuel Levy liked it and the dude usually goes with the crowd on everything...
My 7-year-old daughter is really looking forward to seeing this. She's read the kid's version of the book and she knows the dog dies at the end but I'm still expecting major major heave crying from her when the dog dies.
Posted by bdboudreaux at December 19, 2008 8:42 PM
Go back and watch Uncle Walt's animated output alone. There are VERY dark themes and incidents though-out. The main characters were always facing some freaky, malicious acts.
It is to the point where untold generations were given lessons about death, dying and evil without their parent's initial input on the subjects.
I truly believe, his racist viewpoints aside, Disney was the realistic father of all who watch his films.
Just gotta love the bitchy, childish, passive-aggressive nature of this post existing in the first place.
Again, I renew my call for the next person who sees a film that we know Jeff is looking forward to seeing that has some sort of great Act III twist to email the details to him. We all know in that case there won't be any pro-spoiler flippant remarks, but howls of outrage audible on the other coast.
if it were simply that the dog dies, I'd have no problem labeling Marley a fine family film. However, bboudreaux's 7-year-old will also be confronted with (1) a miscarriage, (2) post-partum depression and (3) mommy and daddy arguing bitterly. Yes, I know kids can handle a lot, but these are pretty weighty issues to dump on a youngster suckered in by an ad campaign that makes it look like "Beethoven" revisited. I think parents should be warned that there will be stuff far harder to deal with than the weepy death of a beloved pet.
Si vous etes interesses par le dossier, ou desirez en savoir plus, contactez-moi par mail, et je vous mettrai en contact.
Best regards,Jane, CEO of high availability systems
comment #1
Edward
says ...
Two movies about dogs that both die? Tears will be shed!
Posted by Edward
at December 19, 2008 4:13 PM
comment #2
Edward
says ...
Will I be happier to see this or Four Christmas with the wife? I'm leaning towards Marly. It does have a dog after all.
Posted by Edward
at December 19, 2008 4:15 PM
comment #3
dangovich
says ...
Wait, does Owen Wilson shoot Marley?
Posted by dangovich
at December 19, 2008 4:19 PM
comment #4
Jeffrey Wells
says ...
Marley causes a loaded shotgun to go off in Act Three, blows half of Wilson's head off.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells
at December 19, 2008 4:23 PM
comment #5
Pablo Villaça
says ...
Ok, I'll be the first to say (who knows? Maybe the only.), but I did like Marley and Me a lot. It's not particularly well directed (Frankel's tendency to zoom in and out is far from elegant) and Kathleen Turner's quasi-cameo is embarassing. Having said that, the film does built a lot of momentum, Aniston is very good in it (not exagerating on her big dramatic scenes, but just finding the right tone) and Wilson is always likable (although he's not a good dramatic actor; in one of his "big" scenes, they have to cut to Aniston to show us her REACTING to HIS reaction, which is kept off-screen).
And although I laughed just a couple of times (and always in response to Alan Arkin's lines), I did cry at the end. And I do think that family grows on us during the film.
Yes, like I said, I liked the film quite a lot, to my immense surprise.
Posted by Pablo Villaça
at December 19, 2008 5:05 PM
comment #6
Pablo Villaça
says ...
Oh, and Marley? The most surprising thing is that he's NOT the center of the film; he's just there, acting as normal dog. Frankel doesn't even overuse the "reaction shot" that is so common on animal-"starred" films. And if Marley becomes an appealing character, that's just because we see him through the family's eyes.
Posted by Pablo Villaça
at December 19, 2008 5:07 PM
comment #7
115thDreamer
says ...
Every time I see this trailer, I just can't believe this got made. If this was 1976, fine, but it's not. I mean, Wilson & Aniston are not huge movie stars, but they're established entities, and their new project together is about a ornery yet lovable dog? That's the best each of them could do? Really? I mean, I know they've each done some junk of late, but come on...this is the script that jumps out at them? What's next - Vince Vaughn & Reese Witherspoon in a crappy X-Mas picture? Oh, wait....
Posted by 115thDreamer
at December 19, 2008 5:40 PM
comment #8
The Hey
says ...
When I go to the kid over the holiday I will ask: Do you want to see the movie with the dog that dies or the one that has the dancing guinea pig? I think alot of other parents will do the same.
I know that shielding kids from the realities of live like dying dogs is probably wrong, but I just feel that the holidays are not the right time for them.
Posted by The Hey
at December 19, 2008 7:28 PM
comment #9
Rich S.
says ...
Watched a documentary on TCM the other night about Disney live action films. The bastards showed the rabies scene from Old Yeller almost in its entirety. It's still just about the most gut-wrenching scene in movie history. Disney has the reputation for being saccharine sweet, but when he wanted to twist the knife, damn.
Posted by Rich S.
at December 19, 2008 8:00 PM
comment #10
Chase Kahn
says ...
I've actually heard this isn't bad at all -- the trailers and posters make it seems like Beethoven, but I've heard it's a decent, harmless romantic/family comedy. I mean, I'll never touch it, but Emmanuel Levy liked it and the dude usually goes with the crowd on everything...
Posted by Chase Kahn
at December 19, 2008 8:37 PM
comment #11
bdboudreaux
says ...
My 7-year-old daughter is really looking forward to seeing this. She's read the kid's version of the book and she knows the dog dies at the end but I'm still expecting major major heave crying from her when the dog dies.
Posted by bdboudreaux
at December 19, 2008 8:42 PM
comment #12
Cadavra
says ...
If memory serves, didn't TURNER AND HOOCH die a fairly quick death?
Posted by Cadavra
at December 20, 2008 12:33 AM
comment #13
Renfield
says ...
Rich S.,
Go back and watch Uncle Walt's animated output alone. There are VERY dark themes and incidents though-out. The main characters were always facing some freaky, malicious acts.
It is to the point where untold generations were given lessons about death, dying and evil without their parent's initial input on the subjects.
I truly believe, his racist viewpoints aside, Disney was the realistic father of all who watch his films.
Posted by Renfield
at December 20, 2008 2:13 AM
comment #14
Deathtongue_Groupie
says ...
Just gotta love the bitchy, childish, passive-aggressive nature of this post existing in the first place.
Again, I renew my call for the next person who sees a film that we know Jeff is looking forward to seeing that has some sort of great Act III twist to email the details to him. We all know in that case there won't be any pro-spoiler flippant remarks, but howls of outrage audible on the other coast.
Posted by Deathtongue_Groupie
at December 20, 2008 10:34 AM
comment #15
Edward
says ...
I was only being sarcastic when I responded about dogs dying. Now I don't want to go see it, knowing the dog does die.
Posted by Edward
at December 20, 2008 6:09 PM
comment #16
byter
says ...
if it were simply that the dog dies, I'd have no problem labeling Marley a fine family film. However, bboudreaux's 7-year-old will also be confronted with (1) a miscarriage, (2) post-partum depression and (3) mommy and daddy arguing bitterly. Yes, I know kids can handle a lot, but these are pretty weighty issues to dump on a youngster suckered in by an ad campaign that makes it look like "Beethoven" revisited. I think parents should be warned that there will be stuff far harder to deal with than the weepy death of a beloved pet.
Posted by byter
at December 20, 2008 9:16 PM
comment #17
janee
says ...
Si vous etes interesses par le dossier, ou desirez en savoir plus, contactez-moi par mail, et je vous mettrai en contact.
Best regards,Jane, CEO of high availability systems
Posted by janee
at May 19, 2011 5:07 AM