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Marley & Me

(2008, Rated PG, Comedy, Starring Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson, Eric Dane)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Touching comedy deals with emotional themes.

Themes in this movie include:   family relationships, loss
updated 09.23.09

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Shows the challenges of caring for and training a high-maintenance pet and how it can bring out the worst in some people, but also how difficult situations can bring families together.
 

What to watch out for

  • Role models :

    Sebastian is a womanizer, and he uses props to entice women whenever he can -- including using Marley as babe bait and even pushing a stroller over to a comely woman for attention. Marley can bring out less-than-honorable behavior in people. His misbehavior prompts John to call him "the worst dog in the world" and causes Jenny to demand that he be taken from the house and put in a shelter.
  • Violence:

    Marley's out-of-control behavior isn't violent, per se, but he wreaks havoc wherever he goes. A neighbor has been attacked in one scene -- viewers don't see the violence, but she suffers a knife wound, implying the violence that befell her.
  • Sex:

    Though no sexual activity is explicitly shown, it's implied, especially in a creaky bed at an Irish inn. Content relating to reproduction (getting pregnant, miscarriage, birth control) might be too mature for younger viewers. Some shots of women in bikinis on the beach; a supporting character has lots of lecherous maneuverings. Jenny swims seductively in the nude, enticing John to collect his "birthday present." Marley humps the dog trainer's leg.
  • Language:

    Predictable for a dog-centric movie: "crap" and "poop." Other language includes "ass," "damn," and "goddamn."
  • Consumerism:

    Jenny and John pursue the American dream: a nice house in a good neighborhood, a nice car, a big trip, etc. But the pursuit is also a struggle, and viewers see how John and Jenny sacrifice to gain the material pleasure that they eventually achieve. Specific products/brands shown/mentioned include Volvo, the Philadelphia Enquirer and the New York Times.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    John mentions having taken bong hits in his youth. John and Sebastian usually bond over a beer. Parties involve drinking wine or champagne.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Marley & Me

Parents need to know that although the lighter side of this family-targeted dramedy has been played up in the marketing campaign, it does tackle themes like loss and mourning. While Marley's rambunctious antics will certainly amuse kids, there's some emotionally challenging material here. On the up side, there's not a lot of other problematic content; language is mild ("ass" and "damn") and sexuality is more implied than shown, though the characters do discuss topics like getting pregnant, and there's one nude swimming scene (but nothing much is on display).

Read our full review by Joly Herman

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how challenging behavior can be frustrating but can also help families bond. When Marley destroys a couch or eats a beloved piece of jewelry, his owners fret over their material loss. But in the end, he's brought them together in a way that his absence wouldn't have allowed. 
  • Are there members of your family whose behavior pushes limits? How much is too much?

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Our Members Say

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See all 166 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Good for tweens, not little kids

    I really love this movie, but don't see it with really little kids because it has sexy stuff, like REALLY sexy stuff... and really bad language. Also, it is soo sad when marley died

  2. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    I watch the movie and it was the best movie ever even better than the book. It was just hilarious all the trouble that Marley caused. When I saw that Marley was getting the sleeping needle I broke into tears. I had three dogs and so far two of them past away and I have a 2 and a half year old one but anyways I think I cried just as much for Marley than I did for my other dogs. Anyways other than the End best Movie ever.(P.S. There is some brief nudity so I thik maybe you should only take 13 and older to that movie).

  3. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Extremely emotional film best suited to older teens and adults

    This movie is not at all for the younger set. It is a movie about real life and, although there's nothing wrong with that, most younger kids don't need to be exposed to those things quite yet. There are hard lessons in this movie....coming to grips with a life that didn't turn out the way you wanted it to, the difficulties in raising children, and the emotional aspects of living with a pet who becomes a member of your family. There were a lot of positive things here.....a husband and wife who truly seem to be in a loving relationship where they both do things to help make the other one happy, showing the realities of being frustrated with a pet and yet still loving and caring for it as part of the family, and children who really seem to get along as siblings. The sexual aspects of the film are not explicit, and they could open a conversation with older children about where babies come from, etc., but it is not something that children younger than 8 or 9 need to even have an inkling of, I think. Overall, this is not a "for the whole family" type of movie. If anything, it is a movie that is best enjoyed by adults, although there would be little worry for teenagers watching it. It is, however, very highly emotional and could really upset more sensitive children and youths.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Great for young teens ages 13+

    Great Movie! but don't be fooled! it is NOT for the WHOLE family, although nothing sexual is shown there are some refferences, As for the violence there really is none that is shown but a girl is stabbed in the driveway offscreen, There are some emotional scenes such as when Jenny and John are screaming at eachother and Marley is refferred to as a "Horrible Animal", there is at least one scene shown where John drives up and watches what's going on in the house from his car, showing that he's a little hesitant to go inside, the ending scene when Marley dies can be pretty traumatic for kids who can't deal with loss, because (for those of you who saw the movie) as you remember, Marley's stoumach twists and has to be "put to sleep" But overall a good comedy for kids ages 13+

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

  6. I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Not a movie for the whole family

    The commercials make Marley and Me look a movie for the whole family. Don't be fooled. It should be at least rated PG-13. The movie is barely about Marley, but I still cried when he died, even though I hated the movie. Nothing inappropriate is shown, but it's talked about.

  7. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    HORRIBLE MOVIE!!!!!

    Ok first, Marley humps a lady, Second, Jenny and John roll around on the bed kissing, and if they are doing what I think they are doing thats horrible, and ontop of all that A DOG DIES ?!?! The book is way better. The movie does not relate and should be called My Wife & Me.

  8. I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    I DON'T GET IT! THEY CALL THAT A KIDS MOVIE AND ALL IT IS BORING WITH A DOG THAT DIES ON TOP OF IT!?!?!?!?

  9. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Too much sexual references in this movie for a PG one. Other than that, a loving story about a dog. Its too sad at the end when SPOILER: marley died.

  10. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Should have been PG-13--Parents of young children Beware!

    Watched this movie alone one evening and could not BELIEVE how much sexual content it contained for a PG rating. I had to check the the rating twice because I thought I read it wrong. It was more than 'implied' sex. The word itself was used at least 4 times in reference to what the couple needed to do in order to "make a baby". I understand they are a married couple but my husband and I surely don't excuse ourselves from the room and tell our kids we are going 'to go make a baby', or have sex for that matter. Should most definitely been rated PG-13. I did not get to the sad ending so I cannot comment on the emotional impact it may have on your kids.

  11. I rate this title off for age 9 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

  12. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

    ok movie

    I liked the movie but there was a little sexuality in the movie and there is a very sad ending i think it is an ok movie but not very appropriate for younger kids

  13. I rate this title off for age 12 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    ok but deseptive

    an ok movie. very sad and very unexspected. but it was deseptive. the trailer said it would be a happy fun movie but the movie sure didnt.

  14. I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Sad, but a great family film.

    This movie is really funny, but also really sad.Still, it is great for kids ages 11+. There is some suggestive content. There is some mild language including poop, crap,and some other bad words.I would recommend this movie to kids who love dog films.Remember this movie is really sad and emotional . This movie is something the whole family will enjoy, laugh and even cry. I gave this movie a 3 1/2 out of 4 stars.

  15. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Since it clearly shows close-ups of people having it.....and the dog is stabbed with medicine by an evil doctor.....and a girl is stabbed/raped in a neighborhood.....and "@$$", "8!+C#", and "$#!+" are repeated every other scene!

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    good

    SHOULD HAVE BEEN RATE PG-13. But still good nobody under ten should see it.

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 4.0

  18. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    toching,i cried

    really good but it should have been pg-13 in sexual content

  19. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    I loved this movie but I thought they focused too much on the people than Marley. It was really sad when Marley died, so if you have kids that are really sensitive you might not want them to see it.

  20. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 3.0

    good for kids

    the sexual humur is mild, this is a movie that kids should enjoy. its only PG for a reson

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