More used to doing comedy films such as Wedding Crashers and Meet The Fockers, Owen Wilson confesses he was a little concerned about the emotional scenes in his forthcoming movie Marley & Me.

"I hadn't done a lot of stuff that was very kind of emotional in a movie where you think 'Jeez, I wonder if I'll feel it," he tells Entertainment Weekly.

"In a way it felt easier because this wasn't a broad comedy. Here everything felt more like real life."

In the movie, out in the US in December, Owen plays a family man who learns some important life lessons from his dog in his first big role since his breakdown last year.

"I think this role came to him at the perfect time," says his Marley co-star Jennifer Aniston.

"You always have an idea of Owen as very funny, and, my God, he is. But boy is he poignant and touching and honest."