Marley & Me

Based on John Grogan's bestselling memoir, director David Frankel's Marley & Me tells the story of the world's worst dog and his perpetually exasperated masters, John and Jennifer Grogan, winningly played by Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston. Job-hunting reporters who've fallen in love, John gives Jennifer an adorable Labrador as a present, but puppy Marley turns out to be a slobbery, un-trainable, rambunctious canine who creates no end of trouble for the Grogans and the three kids they raise over the story's 15-year span. Marley & Me occasionally— if good-naturedly—stretches the bounds of credulity, but the enormously popular and personable Wilson and Aniston generally shine, although these seasoned pros don't stand a chance whenever Marley (played at various stages of his life by 22 Labs) is onscreen. Combining laughter, tears, and more than a little schmaltz, this is a strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include 27 minutes of deleted scenes with optional commentary, a “Breaking the Golden Rule” featurette on working with dogs (8 min.), the behind-the-scenes featurette “Finding Marley” on the titular dog (8 min.), the “Purina Dog Chow Marley & Me Video Contest Finalists” (6 min.), a six-minute gag reel, featurettes on “Animal Adoption” (5 min.), “On Set with Marley: Dog of All Trades” (3 min.), “When Not to Pee” (2 min.), the “Purina Dog Chow Video Hall of Fame” (2 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is a dog training trivia track, a bonus version of the film on DVD, and a digital copy of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a film sure to be popular with dog lovers.] (E. Hulse)