Marley will steal your heart !  Even a cat fan will end up loving this story with some surprising performances.  Especially good are Alan Arkin as an old Newspaper Editor, and Jennifer Aniston as Owen Wilson's wife, Jenny Grogan. 

John and  Jenny Grogan, After getting married decide to move to a warm climate in Southern Florida.  To bridge the gap in Jenny's obsessive planned life and need to have children before John is ready, John buys her a puppy for a birthday present.  The Labrador, named Marley, soon is getting into, destroying and chewing everything.  As the Grogan family grows and matures, Marley takes on different roles as the family pet and companion. 

The movie follows a lot of the emotional roller coaster of a marriage, birth of children, career indecision's. 

Jennifer Aniston turns in a better than expected performance as wife, mother, lover, supporter, with some real emotion to my surprise.  Owen Wilson is well ...Owen Wilson.  The role as John Grogan seemed to fit him, as well as he is the film narrator. 

Alan Arkin, contributes some very interesting moments with his dry humor and special talent for delivery that is not only funny, but later kicks you almost like a subtle message from your own grandparent that sinks in long after you hear it. 

In the end its all about the dog and how he transforms from just a dog to a loved companion and family member, contributing as much to the family success as anyone !  Marley  ( or better put the Marleys as we have several of them representing all ages of the dog) really does carry the movie and steal the show.  Good Family Fun or a date movie.