MARLEY & ME
RYAN: Given that “Marley & Me” has been #1 at the box office for two weeks in a row, it’s clearly the family film of the holiday season; but with a sad twist.
CAROLINE: I haven’t seen this movie and I can’t say I’m too disappointed because as you know, I don’t love dogs. Nor do I enjoy kids’ films. Though I’m surprised that this movie has been touted as a kids’ movie since I’m told the ending is kind of devastating.
RYAN: Well, it’s based on the best-selling book about a real dog that was famous a few years ago. It’s really more Owen Wilson’s movie than Jennifer Aniston’s; he’s the “me” in “Marley & Me.” I just assumed from the trailer that the “me” was Jenny Ani.
CAROLINE: Probably because she’s the one who’s been promoting the hell out of this movie. Owen Wilson has barely done anything.
RYAN: Well, he’s so fragile. We don’t want him threatening suicide again. And I have to admit that while watching the movie, I couldn’t help but think, “Wow, this man tried to kill himself recently.” It’s hard to separate the two. How many stars have this kind of public knowledge about their suicide attempt?
CAROLINE: Well, usually they succeed when trying to kill themselves.
RYAN: Nice.
CAROLINE: I don’t mean it to be mean; I’m just saying stars who are trying to kill themselves usually do it slowly with booze and drugs like Chris Farley; so it’s pretty rare to have a star with a known suicide attempt who’s still living.
RYAN: True. And my apologies to Meg Ryan, the former Queen of Cute, but every time Jenny Ani came onscreen, I thought, “Ooh, she’s so cute!” I’m sorry, but she just is.
CAROLINE: She looks good in the trailer. I know you weren’t all that jazzed to see this movie. Did you wind up liking it?
RYAN: I wasn’t that psyched to see it only because one of my greatest personal tragedies was the loss of my dog in my early-20s, and a lot of people can relate to losing a beloved pet. For some reason, I didn’t cry in this movie even though I saw it with friends who totally did, and they never even had a dog. Even you might have cried.
CAROLINE: Totally! I’m a sucker. How’s Jenny Ani in the movie?
RYAN: She’s cute and she gives a fine performance. Her character’s name is Jenny, coincidentally so every time I heard Owen call her that in the movie I kept thinking he accidentally called her by her real name.
CAROLINE: [laughs’ Odd.
RYAN: Owen Wilson is actually very moving, but I hate his voice. It’s distinctive in a way that is irritating. There’s an affect to it or something that annoys me.
CAROLINE: It’s almost a little bit of a drawl. Plus he’s hard to look at.
RYAN: That nose! In one scene early on, the light hits his nose in the most unflattering way, I was unable to focus on the dialog. Eric Dane plays his best friend, and it’s basically the exact same role he plays on “Grey’s Anatomy.” He’s a womanizer, doin’ Britney proud.
CAROLINE: [laughs’ You’re not exactly making me want to run out and see this.
RYAN: It’s a different kind of movie. It’s not really a romantic comedy like the trailer would have you believe; it’s more of a family drama, and it gets very serious at times. But it’s also a love letter to any family who’s survived a beloved pet, and they handle the topic very delicately.
— BOTTOM LINE —
RYAN: It’s a great film and I recommend it; though it’s not a must-see on the big screen.
CAROLINE: Especially with all the Oscar contenders in theaters now that are much more worth seeing. So is this really a family film?
RYAN: It’s OK for kids. But just be warned – the ending is intense.
— RATING —
