If a dog is man’s best friend then this is clearly man’s best movie. Based on the NY Times Bestseller comes the story of Marley – the world’s worst dog – a Labrador, adopted by John (Owen Wilson) and Jenny (Jennifer Aniston) as a means of learning responsibility before the newlyweds decide to take a shot at having children. Afterall, says his bachelor friend, Sebastian (Eric Dane) “have a kid, you’re a dad, get a dog, you’re a Master!” Seven chewed on pillows and a swallowed gold-chain-necklace later, Marley tries doggie discipline school run by Ms. Kornblut (an unrecognizable Kathleen Turner, only recognizable by her still-sultry voice.) But that doesn’t work either. The only thing that seems to be working is John’s column at the local Miami newspaper where his boss, Arnie (Alan Arkin) gets a kick out of John’s life lesson stories. The chemistry between two surfer-bronzed California actors (Aniston and Wilson) works well, because let’s face it, they’re both limited in the roles they can take outside of the occasional romantic comedy, so it’s not like we’ll ever hear “Ms. Aniston, Mr. Sam Mendes wants you back on the set.” Nevertheless, they’re fun to light up the screen as a likeable couple who grow older along with their dog. But it isn’t the three Kleenex box tear-jerker ending about doggie heaven that zaps us. Well, it is, but it’s also about an audience who understands earning the American dream of three kids, a mortgage, a career and a mini van and then something will eventually go wrong. With a bit of “Lassie’ in this tale, it’s a delightful and touching throwback to the Disney films of the 60s brought to a sophisticated level of today’s movie go-ers. However, one thing back then or now remains the same…Our love for our pets. This one is sure to chew up the Box office on Christmas weekend. Three and a half tiaras
