Must Love Dogs 2005

      Preschool teacher Sarah Nolan (Diane Lane) has been divorced for eight months.  She is still grieving the divorce and the end of her marriage.  Although, she didn't see it as being perfect, she probably would have stuck it out.  She believed in the "for better or worse" obligation of the wedding vows.  But her ex-husband Kevin ended the marriage by leaving her for a younger woman.  She is urged by her over-supportive family including her many siblings, their partners and her widowed father to get back into the dating scene.  This is something she has been reluctant to do because she doesn’t feel ready.  Her most proactive sister in the matter, Carol (Elizabeth Perkins) sets her up on an Internet dating site.  Despite her less than prepared state, Sarah does go along with meeting men by exploring her options.  Sarah is also given unique perspectives on the whole issue of dating and commitment by her father, Bill (Christopher Plummer) since he is also exploring dating??

     Included in the credits, two Newfoundlands are shown with this caption: "No animals were harmed during the filming of this movie. Though we were petted within an inch of our lives."  I thought Diane Lane was realistic, vulnerable and more beautiful than ever (even without make-up at times).  The chemistry between her and John Cusack was truly believable.  Although the story line is slightly predictable, hey this is a romantic comedy, the dialog is good as well as the plot.  And, you cannot help but LOVE the dogs!!!

  
     There are repeated references to dating, body descriptions such as voluptuous and sexy.  There are a couple of scenes in bed and one in a shower with a naked woman with her back to the camera.  She is alone and upset and there is some party drinking.  A woman ends up on a very unfortunate blind date with her father!!  There is some mild profanity.   As the focus is on Internet dating, this film also shows how it involves performing, deceiving and self-deluding others.  A middle-aged woman chats with and attracts the attentions of a 15-year-old teen and she sends home immediately!!! 
5* (I really liked this movie)

158 min, Comedy directed and written by Gary David Goldberg with Diane Lane, John Cusack, Elizabeth Perkins, Christopher Plummer, Dermot Mulroney, Stockard Channing, Ali Hillis, Brad William Henke, Julie Gonzalo, Glenn Howerton, Ben Shenkman, Jordana Spiro, Kirk Trutner, Victor Webster, Michael Spound.

Note:  Amazon gives the book 4.7* out of 5* with 5900 reviews, Imdb 5.9* out of 10* with 30,537 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 36% with 151 critics 50% audience score with 197,847 ratings, Roger Ebert 2*, Common Sense Media Cynthia Fuchs, 3* out of 5*, age 13+, 3* sex, language, drinking, drugs & smoking.

Special Note:  According to writer, producer, and director Gary David Goldberg, he gave the script to John Cusack and encouraged him to change any of his character's dialogue to better suit his acting style.  Goldberg was surprised by Cusack's response because he later sent him about thirty-five pages of new dialogue for his character!!  The dog, "Mother Theresa" was played by two six-month old Newfoundland puppies named Molly (who did most of the work) and Maeve (who performed the water scene).  Both of the puppies appeared at the end of the movie together.  Writer, producer and director Gary David Goldberg adopted both puppies at the end of filming.