dog lovers and the movie Marley & Me

[chirpychirpy]

I would like to know what fellow dog lovers think of the movie Marley & Me. I haven't read the book and won't bother now I've seen the film. But I found the couple's failure to train Marley to any extent really stopped me warming to the dog, save for a couple of brief endearing moments. And then I was annoyed that a whole 20 minutes - of a 90-minute movie - was taken up with Marley dying. What was the point in that? I actually felt it was sheer exploitation of our emotions. I'd rather most of that 20 mins was spent making the dog more likeable. What do you think?

[woofgang]

I kind of agree with you. I read the book when a shortened version of it was serialised in the papers and TBH I thought they should NEVER have been dog owners!...don't fancy the film at all I think its catchpenny trivialised mush!!

[Barney's pal]

I watched it, and yeh it was Hollywood smaltz, but I enjoyed it. My childhood was severely traumatised by watching many Lassie films which usually ended in Lasie's death (after an impossibly heroic act) and me being distraught, and my dear dad yelling ' its only a film for pity's sake!!'
But I'd watch 'em all over again, given the chance.

[pericat]

Thanks for the review - I was wondering if I would like this film and based on your comments I wouldn't. I always cried at all those films too barneys pal and won't watch them now - there is enough other things I can cry about - give me a good comedy

[lilacben]

I saw this film on a packed plane.! and cried my eyes out.!

[paddywak]

I've never watched a film of this type since my Mum & Dad took me to see "Old Yeller" as a tenth birthday treat.

[B00]

I;m with lilacben, I watched it on my holidays and cried buckets.

I actually did find the dog endearing too, he was like a naughty schoolchild.

[leelapops]

Hi chirpychirpy, I read the book and enjoyed it, it's much more endearing than the film looks (sorry I can't give you an informed comparison, I didn't bother with the film!). Owen Wilson always seems like a bit of a moronic character, so I can't seem to separate that from his on-screen character. It seems they played up the really catastrophic incidents in the book for the film version.
I won't bother seeing it!

[~Wingnut~]

Oh blimey the dog dies?!! I won't watch this film now! I know their only films but I can't watch them if an animal dies. I can't even watch ET anymore without crying half way through even though I know he survives and goes home and he was made of plastic!!

Deffo getting soft in my old age :o(

[tweenyb]

the book was fantastic and because of i i wont watch the mvie as they very rarely live up to the book but unlike watching a movie in tears you want to try reading in tears is very hard lol.

the dog is a prolem dog and although there were mostdefinately authoraty issues there is a lot to be be taken into ccunt with the breed and the linbeage of the parets. no one should by a pet without seeing both the parents of the animal.

my advice, skip the movie, read the book enjoy and know its more old age than anything else that leads the demise of poor marley. we have all been there when its the kindest thing to do im sure.

pets are great arent they