The World's Worst Dog

I have to start by telling you I have never owned a pet. I grew up in a condo and therefore there was no room for a dog to run around (even though some of our neighbors had dogs).

The only memory I have of a dog growing up a pechinese my aunt had called "Fofinha" (something like "cutie pie"). And most of my memories are from photos. See, Fofinha was my aunt's dog. When my mom went back to work after I was born, I'd stay at my Grandma's for the day. Everytime I was napping in the crib, Fofinha would lie on the floor, right in front of the crib, making sure I would not be disturbed by anyone. My aunt said if anyone came by, she'd get up and make a mean face, but never bark or make any noise.

My aunt had to put down Fofinha when I was just a toddler. She had a bad disease (we call it sinomosis). I know she had seizures and was in a lot of pain. My aunt suffered a lot and never wanted to have a dog again.

Hubby and I can't have pets since we're allergic (and I don't want to clean up after another 'kid'), but I admit I do have a healthy obcession with pugs. I just love them. They're small, they're cute, they're adorable, and if one day I win the lottery I'll buy a house large enought to have a dog-only area and then I can have my pug. Anyway...

Well, a couple of months ago my friend sent me the "Marley & Me" book. It's a great book, it makes you laugh and it makes you cry too. The idea of having Aniston and Wilson portray the main characters gave me chills. I will be honest and say I don't particularly care for either of them, especially Aniston.

My son practically dragged me to the movie theatre and I admit before the movie started I was already crying (LOL). I know, I don't even cry watching movies.

At this point it's possible not to compare book and movie. They moved some things around the book, changed a bit, but in the essence it's what the movie was. It was heart wrenching at the end. I was ok in the end, however, when the oldest kid (a great young actor, he was in "The Mist" and "The Dark Knight") held Marley and wept I just lost it! I was bawling my eyes out. There was plenty of laughter during the movie, but when the end came it was just silence and sniffles.

In the end, I thought the movie was a bit long but good. The scenes that Grogan chronicles the events going on in their lives were pretty good. Wilson did really well, especially towards the end, and he and Aniston had great chemistry. However, I didn't get the vibe from her that she was such a "Mom", you know what I mean?

So, if you go see it, just remember to bring an oversized box of tissues, okay?


(Was this really a review?)

P.S. They left out from the movie 2 great scenes: loading Marley into a plane to PA, and also when the house is nearly hit by lightning.