It must be a real pain in the ass for an actor to reach a point where their publicist has to insist on no one asking any personal questions.

It means that you've now reached the point in your career where, either through fault, design or a moment of deep, deep stupidity, your life is no longer your own. And that means you have to be protected.

So, you can imagine my growing disappointment when I think back to the moment when, last Monday, Jennifer Aniston asked me if I was married. Why, oh why, oh why, didn't I think of replying, "You know the rules -- no personal questions!". Instead, I simply said, "Eh, no". Zing.

The occasion is the release of Marley & Me, an adaptation of John Grogan's best-selling 2005 memoir about the effect a particularly uncontrollable yellow labrador has on him and his young family.

Playing the part of the journalist whose popular column was promoted to a best-selling book is Owen Wilson, and he and Aniston make for a very convincing couple going through the ups and downs of juggling career, parenthood and a nutty dog.

I managed to leave all my notes on the flight, but I was determined to have a little fun with these two nonetheless. Even if their publicist was sitting in the room with us. Just don't mention the divorce (you know, when Rachel lost Ross to Vampira). Or when Wilson was taken to St John's Hospital in Santa Monica on August 26, 2007, after a reported suicide attempt.

PAUL BYRNE: When I first heard about Marley & Me, I was a little bit worried that it would be a little too Disney, but, thankfully, this has a little bite.

Besides warning all of us about the perils of getting married and raising a family, there's also that out-of-control dog. This movie really should have been called, 'Lassie, Get The Hell Off My Leg!'

Owen Wilson: Right. Well, there is that notion of, okay, the dog is just going to do hilarious stuff, but there is the relationship there, and the humour in that, the real-life challenges of sharing a life. . .

Jennifer Aniston: Of marriage, and career, and... family. . .

I like the advice about not getting married.

JA: About not getting married?

Yeah, I think so. . .

JA: Are you married?

Eh, no. The film did seem to reflect just how tough married life can be. . .

OW: That's the thing, the movie is being honest about marriage. It's not like a fairytale. Obviously we're still married at the end, and still in love, but that's probably the problem some people have going into a marriage, thinking it's going to be all smooth sailing, but, of course, it's not. It's got its ups and downs.

JA: That's what we loved about this. . . The other side of the story is, of course, all about how cute and adorable dogs can be.

How many yellow labradors were killed during the making of this movie?

JA: [Laughs]

OW: How many were there? Jeez, for the first couple of months in Miami, it was hot, so. . .

JA: We didn't kill any of our dogs, it was just. . .

Well, there was a wrap party, right? A barbecue?

JA: No, no, no, no, no...

OW: [Laughs]

There were 22 yellow labs altogether, and one was kept alive for promotional purposes. . .

OW: Yeah, that sounds about right...

At one point in this movie, you end up in the green and fertile land of Ireland, in the wilds of Connemara, right?

JA: Oh, gosh. I'm not sure that I remember the area. Where does Peter O'Toole live?

OW: Galway!

JA: There were the most beautiful views. Is there a place called Sherbourne around there?

I should know, but I don't. For the purpose of this interview, let's pretend there is. . .

JA: [Laughs] But what if there's not?

OW: We stayed at Ballynahinch Castle. . .

You have Irish roots, Owen, which would explain your beauty, your wit, and your intelligence.

OW: Yeah, it does, yes, yes, it does...

Did you trace those roots?

JA: He managed to find his beauty, his wit, and his intelligence, and remarried it, all over again. He renewed his vows with himself.

OW: Exactly, it's good to be reacquainted with that.

JA: I had my first Guinness.

OW: God, yeah, that Guinness. . .

JA: Which is basically like drinking bark. . .

For you, Jennifer, being in Ireland for the first time, did you take the opportunity to apologise to the nation for Leprechaun, that rather fine 1993 schlock-horror flick?

JA: I should have apologised? Didn't that punish me enough? Didn't my karma take care of that?

OW: You guys should be apologising to her for unleashing these little demons upon the world.

Back to the deep question though -- the difficulty of being an actor when celebrity bears down on you more and more. . .

OW: I think it was easier when you were younger, it's like, "Okay, I'll just go and do Anaconda, see what that's like. . ."

JA: "I'll just go do Leprechaun -- no one will know!" Jeez. . .

OW: Now you have to think about it. . .

Owen, where did you end up in Ireland?

OW: Dublin.

And we were good to you, right?

OW: Oh, yeah.

JA: Such sweet people.

And this was your first time in oul' Eireann, Jennifer?

JA: My first time. It was gorgeous, and the kindest people. . .

And incredibly good-looking people too. . .

JA: Oh, absolutely.

OW: Just look at me. . .

Marley & Me hits Irish cinemas on March 13