It has been said people should never work with children or animals. This presumably even includes dogs – to use another cliché – “man’s best friend”.

Marley and Me, a surprise cinema hit, turned this mantra on its head. Because the star of the film is not former Friends actress Jennifer Aniston or even Hollywood golden boy Owen Wilson: it is Marley the Labrador pooch.

The film is based on a book which in turn is a true account of one man’s life. John Grogan (Wilson) moves from Chicago to Florida with his wife Jennifer (Aniston) where they both work as journalists.

In order to put Jennifer off having children John buys her a puppy, Marley. At the same time he realises he’s not cut out for the fast-paced world of news journalism and is better suited as a columnist.

The focus of almost all his columns – be it one way or another – is Marley the dog. In time Jennifer goes on to have children, they fight, bad things happen, they move to Pennsylvania and so on – throughout this Marley is a constant.

So it is heartbreaking for the family when, as an old dog, Marley becomes incredibly sick and eventually dies. Because the dog, hated at points, resented, irritating and annoying, has become a huge part of family life.

It is difficult to explain the plot of Marley and Me – largely because there simply is not one. It is basically one man’s account of his life with his family and his dog. But despite this it is actually rather sweet and enjoyable.

Marley and Me is ridiculously wholesome and all-American. It is the kind of film – think how excited the Yanks were about the Obamas getting a puppy – the US loves. It is harmless and the exact opposite of edgy. It is absurdly even tempered and re-emphasises the belief family is the most important thing, like a modern day Little House On The Prairie.

But, you know, it has a sweet dog and is also very watchable.

Even for people who do not think dogs are man’s best friend, Marley and Me is an enjoyable, albeit saccharine, film.

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