Why did I not listen to my own advice?

[Jaybay]

After firmly deciding NOT to go see "Marley & Me" in the theater, I was forced to see it just to get out of the house for a couple of hours.  I was prepared with tissues thanks to my husband, but didn't think I'd need them.  Shoot.  Once you've gone through the real thing, a movie can't be any worse.  Right?  Yeah?  Nope.  

The screenplay stripped too much from the excellent book in my opinion.  It didn't show just how much Marley's life was inextricably woven into the lives of every Grogan family member and relied only on "bad dog" antics to get a laugh.  You know the end is coming and keep wishing they'd just skip over it.  But noooooo.... they have to draw it out.  And out.  And out including the final injection.  It doesn't stop until every last person in the theater is sniffling and boo-hooing - including the men.  It didn't help matters when the little girl in front of me kept saying, "Where's puppy?  What they do with puppy?"  

OMG.  Do yourself a favor and wait to watch this movie at home so you can enjoy private hysterics and not worry about mascara streaming down your face.  Marley & Me is even worse than Old Yeller.  Honest Injun, cross my heart.  No lie.  Whew.  Gotta go blow my nose again...

[arachnaphob]

Isn't Cesar Milan one of the most sensible people you've ever seen on TV regards dog (people) training.  Everything he says is logical.

[Jaybay]

On the ending - not really.  The script draws out every last bittersweet moment possible.  Everyone leaves the theater looking like they just committed highway robbery - covering their tear-stained faces and running for their cars.  :-)

The book also makes grown men cry, but not as bad as the movie.  The book really is a celebration of Marley's life with the growing Grogan family.  Even though you see the end coming in the book, it doesn't end on such a jarring note as the movie - in my opinion.

Yes, I saw the Dog Whisperer episode with Gracie.  She's another Marley and it was so funny seeing John and Jenny realize that THEY were the ones causing all the problems.  LOL!  

They also adopted one of the puppies featured in the movie, and he reports she fit right in with no trouble.  Unfortunately, she's already got severe hip problems and can't do stairs or run and play like Marley and Gracie did at that age.  Hip replacement surgery is likely in her future as soon as she's grown some, but the Grogan's are up for it.  I was glad to hear he reported the problem to the breeder so that the parents won't pass the problem on to future generations.  Even better, when asked if he wanted to trade this puppy for the "pick of the next litter" Grogan said no, we're in this together.  He knew she would likely be euthanised and wouldn't hear of it.  I wonder if Cesar will need to pay a visit on the new pup after surgery?  ;-)

[flmagi]

OH NO! I didn't know Marley & ME ended up being so sad with the dog dieing. Guess I won't be seeing that movie. Why do they always have to show the dogs dieing?
Does anyone remember Turner & Hooch?  They at least had all the new puppies to give it a happy ending.  Does Marley & Me have a similar ending?

[arachnaphob]

I'm so sorry. I thought you all knew the ending to the book and movie. Hope I didn't ruin it for anyone.  Did anyone see the Grogans on The Dog Whisperer asking advice about their new dog?

[Jaybay]

peek - I'm the same way.  Everyone who left the theater looked like criminals who'd just been gassed with teargas.  With all the bowed heads and faces being mopped with tissues, all that was missing was handcuffs and the perp-walk by a cop.  I KNOW I wasn't fit for public consumption and practically ran to the car where I finally let loose. Hubby met me at the door, took one look at me and said, "I TOLD you so!"  

If anyone here hasn't read the book, it's excellent!  You already know the basic ending, and yes, even my grown-men friends who read it admitted they cried at the end - including my husband.  It's still well worth the reading.

ginger - I haven't seen Greyfriars Bobby, but the plot sounds exactly like an old "Lassie" movie I saw a while back on one of the classic movie channels.  Another tearjerker.  LOL!

[peekawho]

No way.  After reading the book...I know what I'll be doing.  And it'll be far worse than a little mascara streaming down my face.

It'll be full blown, nose running, red streaming eyes, hair being pulled out by the roots, wailing in the aisles embarassing.

I just can't do it.  Even at home.  I don't look attractive when I'm crying.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

we went and saw it thought it was a funny sweet movie didnt know there was a bok .lol but yes we were all crying, its really hard when you yourself had to put your baby to rest , i had just gone throught it so it hit home bad, left there very sad.

[allaboutmary]

Thanks for the warning . I thought it was a comedy.

[arachnaphob]

No way am I going to see that movie.  I finished reading the book when I was in hospital.  I was bawling my eyes out when my doctor walks in.  He immediately thinks that i'm in pain or something and I have to admit to him that i'm crying about the death of a dog in the book that i'm  reading.
He laughed at me.

EMBARRASSING!!!

I'm not willing to do that in public.

Chirley

[ginger899]

Well, that's Hollywood forya!
I can't imagine I'd be dry-eyed either. I loved Marley. And like you said, the changes his character brought to the whole family.
A film I'd like to see is Greyfriars Bobby based on a true tale about a dog in Scotland who stood watch over his master's grave for many years......Someone gave me a DVD of this but it doesn't work on my laptop! (Need to buy a DVD player!.....silly me!) Have you ever seen that?