Writer: Lai Swee Wei

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Watch this if you liked: "Old Yeller", "Beethoven"

Director David Frankel is yet on another book adapted film by taking on John Grogan's bestseller "Marley & Me", after his previous film in 2006 "The Devil Wears Prada" based on Lauren Weisberger's novel of the same name. The movie recounts John's true-life memoir from the day he and his wife Jenny Grogan got married, the ups and downs of bringing up a family with their dog Marley and to the inevitable tear-jerking ending.

Owen Wilson narrates certain parts of the story as if taken from the book itself to create a fast forward approach. It served to be nicely compact, understandable and witty. It is plain to see why this book is so successful as it bears strong emotional values, important life lessons, self-motivation and true-life moments that everyone can relate to. Or we can generally assume to say that dogs appeal to the mass audiences. Look at "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" as it took the number one spot in North America for second week running after its release!

Acting wise, Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston played well as a happily married couple. Wilson performed great as patient and loving family man, while Aniston outperformed herself as a successful feature writer who finally breaks out of control after the birth of their second child. No one could think of another perfect couple to play the down to earth role of Josh and Jenny Grogan.

Claimed to be the "World's Worst Dog", Marley was portrayed exactly that and did justice to the extreme title by chewing and eating almost anything and everything in sight, causing destruction to everywhere he goes.

This heart-wrenching story about a family's life together with their dog is nothing new, but nonetheless it still serves as a wonderful family film to watch. Rest assure that Marley was never neglected nor abused in any way possible in the story. Viewers can just sit, watch, laugh, cry and experience the life of Josh Grogan's family with their lovable K-9, Marley.

Cinema Online, 27 February 2009