Exclusive Interview: David Frankel

Premiere.com: What was your favorite part of making this movie?
My favorite part was working with the cast. It was a joy to be surrounded by dogs all the time. We not only had the dogs that were acting in the film, but I had my own dogs on the set. All the actors brought their dogs too.

Premiere.com: How many dogs were actually trained to play the part of Marley in the film?
Their were 22 in total, but 11 of those dogs played Marley when she was a puppy because they kept growing so fast. We had to train a new batch while we were shooting. Then there was one main dog that played Marley in the movie and doubles who played Marley during different action sequences.

Premiere.com: What made you finally decide on the “right” Marley and can you talk about the training process?
The studio contacted the trainers and started looking for the right dog, which they ultimately found in Clyde a year and half before shooting started. He had unruly energy and the personality we wanted for Marley. When the trainers started getting him ready for the film they trained him by never telling him ‘No’.

Premiere.com: How tough was it working with a dog as a main star in a film?
I never worked with dogs before, so it was tough trying to capture the perfect shot on the first take because there are no rehearsals with Clyde.

Premiere.com: How did Jen and Owen deal with working with a dog as the main star?
Both of their dogs were there, so they are both dog people. Nothing the dogs could do surprised them. They were very comfortable with them and were very patient suffering through all the licking. For all of us, the tricky cooperation was never with the dog but with the infants.

Premiere.com: There are a massive amount of deleted scenes on the DVD. Why did so much get cut?
What happens--and this happened with the Devil Wears Prada too--from page to screen there’s a lot of explaining that the audience doesn’t need to see. Also, while shooting, it’s hard to judge the pace of things. I can never go through scenes quickly enough. People come in knowing the movie is about the dog, so I needed to limit time with Jen and Owen. But it’s all wonderful stuff and we are able to know this will go on the DVD so it’s not lost.

Premiere.com: What made you take on this film?
I actually got hawked by my in-laws to do this film who loved the book.

Premiere.com: Why do you think this film was so successful both here and overseas?
People respond to it and reflect on their own life experiences. I think it’s rare to be affected like this by a film, especially when you have a lump in your throat after watching it.