Metascore
53 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 30
  2. Negative: 5 out of 30
  1. Wilson has a scene near the end with Marley that's the most wrenchingly tender acting of his career.
  2. 75
    When Marley is not on the screen, Wilson and Aniston demonstrate why they are gifted comic actors. They have a relationship that's not too sitcomish, not too sentimental, mostly smart and realistic.
  3. Reviewed by: Jessica Reaves
    75
    And then there's Alan Arkin, who, as John's editor, is hilarious and dry--it's frankly a shame he's not onscreen for every single scene.
  4. 75
    Marley & Me gets so many of the details right, particularly in its final act, when it turns into a five-hanky weeper.
  5. The humans, particularly the wistful Wilson, deadpan Alan Arkin (as Grogan's editor) and Nathan Gamble, a 10-year-old who plays the eldest Grogan child, are very affecting. Aniston, who has great offbeat comic timing, doesn't quite find her rhythm here.
  6. 75
    It's an enjoyable and unpretentious perspective of life that reminds us how important and rewarding the little things can be.
  7. Never brilliant but always solid and often wry, Marley & Me is what it celebrates -- an amiable overachiever.
  8. Wilson, who has never made the film in which he convincingly played sincere, turns out to be a wise choice to play John Grogan.
  9. Looks to be this season's family animal comedy.
  10. 70
    Marley & Me gets so much surprisingly right. It may be designed to reach a broad audience, but it doesn't pander.
  11. 67
    Sweet and wise and often laugh-out-loud funny (just like Grogan's book), Marley & Me isn't just for dog people; it's just not for Cruella De Vil.
  12. 63
    The movie is torn. It wants to honestly explore the natural wear-and-tear of the Grogan marriage. But it also seems OK with being something that could pass as a midseason replacement on ABC.
  13. Reviewed by: Olivia Putnal
    63
    Owen Wilson manages to break his customary comic relief persona and is adept at playing a little "Father Knows Best"; the yellow lab does a good job too.
  14. A warm and fuzzy family movie, but you do wish that at least once someone would upstage the dog.
  15. Reviewed by: Betsy Sharkey
    60
    An imperfect, messy and sometimes trying film that has moments of genuine sweetness and humor sprinkled in between the saccharine and the sadness.
  16. Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    60
    This perky, episodic film is as broad and obvious as it could be, but delivers on its own terms thanks to sparky chemistry between its sunny blond stars, Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, and the unabashed emotion-milking of the final reel.
  17. This love letter to man's best friend will make dog fanciers roll over and do tricks. It's so warmhearted, you'll want to run out and hug the nearest big, sloppy mutt. And while you're watching it, have your handkerchief ready.
  18. Reviewed by: Cammila Albertson
    50
    As a modest little dramedy about the everyday adventures of starting a family, Marley & Me is pretty solid, but as a movie about the joy and heartbreak of owning a dog, it goes straight for the jugular.
  19. Reviewed by: Claudia Puig
    50
    Marley & Me might be easy to watch, but -- even for die-hard canine lovers -- it's as easy to forget.
  20. There are three fine performances lost in this otherwise middling film. Alan Arkin makes a wonderfully gruff newspaper editor who does just about as much barking as Marley. Jennifer Aniston makes the most of the rather slender figure of Jennifer Grogan, creating a believably human picture of a career woman who gives it up for the kids. And then there's the dog that plays Marley.
  21. The end, a drawn-out death scene, is manipulative and, contrary to the movie's feel-good marketing, likely to upset youngsters.
  22. 50
    Could not be more ordinary.
  23. If characters talking to dogs and dog reaction shots are some of your favorite things, add some stars to this review.
  24. Reviewed by: Angie Errigo
    40
    My Dog Skip for people in mid-life crises, it?s too talky and trouble-laden for tykes but will doubtless prove as critic-proof to dog-lovers and the stars? fans as it did in the US.
  25. Bland, obsequious adaptation of John Grogan's best-selling memoir.
  26. 38
    Watching the stars try to out-cutesy the mutt is one for the puke bucket.
  27. 38
    We watched a story of a Labrador. Who eats the couch and disobeys. I said to Lady, "It's a labra-bore."
  28. 30
    Not many actors could do justice to the vanilla story presented by Grogan and screenwriters Scott Frank and Don Roos, but Wilson and Aniston – two of the blandest, most uninteresting actors working today – are just the actors to pull it off.
  29. Reviewed by: Jim Ridley
    30
    Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston relegate Marley to a lifestyle accessory in his own biopic.
  30. You'd have to be made of granite to resist all the charms of a free-spirited, 100-pound Lab. Yet the production manages, against heavy odds, to make its canine star an incorrigible bore.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 108 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 59
  2. Negative: 13 out of 59
  1. "Marley & Me" tries extremely hard to tear up the audience with its 'Marley'. The problem is that the film consistently opens a tedious tone with absolutely nothing significant or impressive until to the end. Its just like being in school, listening a lecture from a monotonous teacher. Nothing's really great about it. Full Review »
  2. DarylK.
    1
    This movie was a major dissapointment...suffers from poor editing and could have left at least 30 minutes on the cutting room floor. It just drags (ok we get it he's a dog with attitude and he will die but get on with it). The screenplay was bland and will Owen and Jennifer looked great there was zero chemistry. A wasted opportunity with this film. Full Review »
  3. A really incredible and emotive movie. I´m feeling sorprised becuase much movies about animals, have a great story, and this is an amazing example, the cast have a great performance and the most amazing is Marley, one of my favorite films ever. Full Review »