Films based on popular memoirs are usually on shaky ground, especially one as well-loved as this shaggy dog tale, ‘Marley & Me’.

I admire the film-maker’s spunk in deciding not just to go all cutesy or just to play it all for laughs. Unfortunately, however, the film’s changing tone means we end up with a film that can’t seem to decide whether it’s actually a comedy, or a drama, or a slice-of-life tale, or some kind of relationship movie.

Apart from that, it’s big problem are its two leads. Owen Wilson acts well, but somehow comes across as a not particularly likable character. Jennifer Aniston, on the other hand, has about as much charisma as a cabbage. What this means is that when the dog is centre stage and hogging the limelight, the film works a treat. But when the dog is peripheral to the dramas the main characters are going through in their lives, it’s a bore.

I really wanted to like ‘Marley & Me’, and was ready for an overly cute animal pic, but this doesn’t really cut it, being too adult for kids and just… rambling!

Having said that, there are some very funny scenes, most of them involving the dog being totally out of control, but…

Extras include featurette, deleted scenes and not very funny ‘gag reel’. GARY STEEL

3 Stars