• 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.

Why We Rated This for Ages 13 and Up

What to watch out for

• Messages:

  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

Families Can Talk About