Featured Audience Ratings

• Cassie H

  
  Sweet story of true love :) I love John Cusack in this movie!!! :) So cute :) Just a great movie :) :) :) :)

• Bethany M

  
  Average film, with a few funny scenes. It's been a long time since I've watched this film and I only vaguely remember it. Shows how good it is... The funniest scene was most probably when he tried getting a condom. The only part that really had me laughing. Other than that,… More
  Average film, with a few funny scenes. It's been a long time since I've watched this film and I only vaguely remember it. Shows how good it is... The funniest scene was most probably when he tried getting a condom. The only part that really had me laughing. Other than that, nothing brilliant.

• Nicki M

  
  Average romantic comedy. I originally rated this only two stars, but five years on from first viewing, I am a little older and can relate a bit more to Diane Lane's depressed late 30's divorcee. Diane is obviously very attractive for her age, and I like John Cusack, but I… More
  Average romantic comedy. I originally rated this only two stars, but five years on from first viewing, I am a little older and can relate a bit more to Diane Lane's depressed late 30's divorcee. Diane is obviously very attractive for her age, and I like John Cusack, but I have to say the main problem here is that they are not at all a convincing couple. She seems a little too conventional for him, and I never really bought them as an item at all. Any "aah" moments I had were gooing over the beautiful big dog. Probably not a great thing in a romantic film. There are a few laughs here, such as her answering her own father's personal add, and Stockard Channing is fantastic as Dolly, but it's not enough to make this a must see, Not bad for a weekend rental, but ultimately falls flat.

• Anthony L

  
  I liked it as much as a non-American female 40 something divorcee could (No offence intended to American female 40 something divorcees). It wasn't terrible, there are plenty worse out there. I did like Christopher Plummer's penny speech, that was lovely, he really is one of… More
  I liked it as much as a non-American female 40 something divorcee could (No offence intended to American female 40 something divorcees). It wasn't terrible, there are plenty worse out there. I did like Christopher Plummer's penny speech, that was lovely, he really is one of the last truly great actors.

• jay n

  
  Diane Lane is good as always. She and Christopher Plummer have a nice chemistry as father and daughter but John Cusack gets more annoying as time goes by.

• Alice S

  
  Some genuinely fresh romantic/comedic lines and situations, but Sarah is basically a shadow of Frances Mayes in <i>Under the Tuscan Sun</i>, the latter of whom has far less to lose and far more charm in doing it. I nearly threw in the towel the second she says, "Will… More
  Some genuinely fresh romantic/comedic lines and situations, but Sarah is basically a shadow of Frances Mayes in <i>Under the Tuscan Sun</i>, the latter of whom has far less to lose and far more charm in doing it. I nearly threw in the towel the second she says, "Will you let me explain?" Why do people in movies need <i>permission</i> to explain themselves? Bad writing!

• Dean M

  
  Fun spoof on the lies one tells while INternet dating frames the romance developing between a very girl-next-doorish Diane Lane and a forlorn John Cusack. The intended couple have a few starts and stops along the way as misunderstandings abound. Wonderfully romantic-comedy movie of… More
  Fun spoof on the lies one tells while INternet dating frames the romance developing between a very girl-next-doorish Diane Lane and a forlorn John Cusack. The intended couple have a few starts and stops along the way as misunderstandings abound. Wonderfully romantic-comedy movie of the couple since <i>When Harry Met Sally...</i> and <I>You've Got M@il</i>. I also like seeing these dogs where it says in the title.

• Bannan i

  
  :]

• Megan S

  
  It was cute enough but I feel like they played all the really funny parts in the preview.

• Curtis L

  
  eh.......

• Red L

  
  The movie feels like a Harlequin romance. Girl finds guy, loses guy, finds him again etc. etc. It has some redeeming qualities.

• Candy R

  
  Rom com about a woman who places a personal ad. Good cast.

• danny d

  
  i loved this flick, although diane lanes character had a disapointing moment of sluttyness

• Lanning :

  
  Well, maybe not this one. Wow, a very uneven script, though Lane and Cusack give it everything they've got. They work well together, too. I'd say when you're dealing with material like this, it might be best not to keep having a movie of the caliber of <i>Dr.… More
  Well, maybe not this one. Wow, a very uneven script, though Lane and Cusack give it everything they've got. They work well together, too. I'd say when you're dealing with material like this, it might be best not to keep having a movie of the caliber of <i>Dr. Zhivago</i> running as a constant thematic strand in the background. Makes this film pale all the more by comparison. Editing is a forgotten art in this one. Very disappointing on that front. Big applause for Stockard Channing and Jordana Spiro who steal every scene in which they appear.

• Sanjaya &

  
  A lovely movie....

• Nate Z

  
  [center][font=Arial][color=darkred][img]http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/2276/photo040ua.jpg[/img][/color][/font][/center] [font=Arial][color=darkred]Seriously, is there anything more that can be written about romantic comedies? If ever there was a genre comparable to horror, it’s… More
  [center][font=Arial][color=darkred][img]http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/2276/photo040ua.jpg[/img][/color][/font][/center] [font=Arial][color=darkred]Seriously, is there anything more that can be written about romantic comedies? If ever there was a genre comparable to horror, it’s these easily digestible, 90-minute love fests. With all apologies to Mac’s stupendous Top 25 countdown, I feel like I’m becoming a romantic comedy connoisseur. And it’s all because of my girlfriend, Karen. You see, without her I never would have seen [i]Miss Congeniality 2[/i], let alone in a first-run theater. I wouldn’t have seen [i]Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants[/i], and that was a very pleasant film. Added to the list is [i]Must Love Dogs[/i], a romantic comedy released right before the dog days of summer.[/color][/font] [font=Arial][color=darkred]Sarah (Diane Lane) is a newly divorced 40-something preschool teacher (who looks freaking adorable dressed as a cat). Her very tight-knit family consoles her but also can’t stop from putting all their efforts toward helping Sarah get back on her feet. Sarah’s younger sister scours through her wardrobe and asks, “Where are all your boob shirts?” Carol (Elizabeth Perkins) creates an online profile for Sarah without her knowledge and submits it to an Internet dating website. She ends the profile by saying, “Must love dogs.” This allows for many disastrous dates, including one awkward date with her father (Christopher Plummer), himself on the dating scene.[/color][/font] [font=Arial][color=darkred]Jack (John Cusack) has just gotten out of a long-term relationship and his heart is fragile. He carves old fashioned wooden boats but struggles to make any sales. His buddy sets up a date with Sarah at a dog park. Jack borrows a dog and things don’t go so smoothly, but he sees something there. They go on additional dates and really feel a connection, even if the dates don’t go according to plan. But Sarah also has Bob (Dermot Mulroney), a hunky single dad to one of her preschool tykes, to choose from. What’s a hot single woman to do?[/color][/font] [font=Arial][color=darkred][i]Must Love Dogs[/i] is a grab bag of romantic comedy clichés. You’ll find most everything here, from the sassy sister, the gay best friend (for 21st century advancements, the movie presents a gay couple), people trying to learn to love again after having their hearts broken, precocious children that say unusually adult things, a sing-along to a classic song, and the inevitable moment where one person finally has a late revelation and runs to catch their soon-to-be leaving love.[/color][/font] [font=Arial][color=darkred]What hurts [i]Must Love Dogs[/i] from its other cookie cutter ilk is how contrived so much of it feels. For the longest time the movie presents both of Sarah’s male options in a positive light, but because we see Cusack’s name above the credits and his face on the poster we know he’s destined to win out. Despite this, the film manufactures an entirely contrived scenario to put a wedge between Sarah and Jack. Bob walks in and, in an attempt to convince Sarah he didn’t bang her younger co-worker, kisses her on the spot. Then they pull apart and we see Jack standing there with Sarah’s drunken brother over his shoulder (how did he get back in the house anyway?). [i]Must Love Dogs[/i] is another romantic comedy where the conflicts would be resolved with one levelheaded conversation between all parties.[/color][/font] [font=Arial][color=darkred]What does keep [i]Must Love Dogs[/i] afloat is how enormously likable and appealing Lane and Cusack are as actors. They’ve both been acting since they were teens (Lane was even on the cover of TIME magazine before she had a training bra), so it’s pleasant to see them mature gracefully but still remain vibrant, charismatic, and very good looking. After her blistering turn as the errant wife in 2002’s [i]Unfaithful [/i](which she should have won the Best actress Oscar for), Lane has found stable footing in romantic comedies dealing with the overlooked stories of a 40-something woman in love. In [i]Must[/i] [i]Love Dogs[/i] she’s generally strong despite the weak material. She has her funnier moments dealing with reaction. Cusack's character is like Lloyd Dobbler (from the masterpiece [i]Say Anything[/i]) in 15 years, and he manages to put his offbeat/sexy Cusack magic all over the film. With different actors as the leads, [i]Must Love Dogs[/i] would be mostly forgettable.[/color][/font] [font=Arial][color=darkred][i]Must Love Dogs[/i] also gives ample material to Sarah’s father and his pursuit of a mate of his own. Plummer is excellent as the wry old codger and has some very tender moments with Lane. It’s rare for a mainstream movie, let alone a romantic comedy, to sensibly deal with an elderly man’s own search for love, after losing the love of his life. It’s refreshing to see a movie that deals realistically with a 40-something woman and a 60-something man in the dating world, well as realistic as romantic comedies can get (cue the spontaneous sing-along).[/color][/font] [color=#b22222][font=Arial][color=darkred]In the formulaic world of romantic comedies, [i]Must Love Dogs[/i] lands right smack in the middle, feeling equal parts contrived and enlightened. Lane and Cusack still shine as wonderfully charming leads and elevate this standard cookie cutter material. Plummer adds a nice addition in a smart, tender storyline of an old man looking for Mrs. Right. Fans of the romantic comedy genre will have their every expectation granted and feel the standard warm and fuzzies leaving the theater. [i]Must Love Dogs[/i] is a typical romantic comedy that’s slightly funny, slightly charming, and slightly frustrating. And maybe that’s the film's biggest flaw: it's slight.[/color][/font][/color] [color=#b22222][font=Arial][color=darkred]Nate's Grade: C+[/color][/font][/color]

• Mike N

  
  [img]http://www.schatten.info/images/list/easter_mountains_2005/14-campfire.jpg[/img] I saw the Man, once, and this ain't no fib. It was a Tuesday in April, round suppertime, and I was mindin' a few restless colts down at the stable like normal. The blazin'… More
  [img]http://www.schatten.info/images/list/easter_mountains_2005/14-campfire.jpg[/img] I saw the Man, once, and this ain't no fib. It was a Tuesday in April, round suppertime, and I was mindin' a few restless colts down at the stable like normal. The blazin' blue evenin' sky was growing bigger, like it was pressin' the prairie further into the earth just to make you notice how purty the clouds were. A fine ruckus was being made in town that eve. The meathouse was slingin' pleasure on a plate, and a herd of buckaroos were all down there gittin' their fill on the finest steak and suds this side of the Rio, not too far from where this story is bein' told. Then, quickly as it takes a man's spit to hit the ground, a cold rolling wind bust loose, and it was mean enough to choke yer bones without spare buckskin jackets lyin' round. All the peaceful trees rustled into these mad glares. A shivery menace closed all the good doors like dominos. It was no night for a beautiful sun to bear witness to. But before it did retreat over that unthreatened horizon, it cast one odd-shaped flaw against it, like some shadowy mole on the bright face of a young southern belle. It was the Man riding in. [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Story-PrairieSunset.jpg[/img] Just a glimpse of him staggered me like a I was half seas over. He had the stature of a man who deserved to call himself intense. His eyes were sharper than an arrowhead and hotter than hell's breath. [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Story-eyes.jpg[/img] I took his horse in and played my role of silence like no man has ever played it. He throated somethin' unclear, like a distant purple thunderstorm of a word, but I wasn't sure if it was for me or his horse, so I dared not suggest the feller repeat. It was like askin' a coyote to growl again only louder this time, or a critter similar to those two beasts on his [i]serape[/i]. But, between the chomping of his tiparillo, his eyes had me hogtied already, caught for starin' too long. He muttered more low earthquakes. [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Story10b-2.jpg[/img] "Fury & Conviction, they are," he said, pointing to the beasts on his shawl. "They're my spiritual legs, and I need 'em like I need my walkin' legs. Took it off the first chef I killed. Killed him with a carrot. Took that off him, too." He gestured to the carrot in his holster. [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Story12b-1.jpg[/img] I could only nod like a dope. He's plumb crazy, I thought. One deranged longrider. ...the sam hill? A carrot?! It was then my eyes took notice to what he was fixing on his vest, and all the horrifying details of his complete appearance. There was...some kinda badge... [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Story-Badge.jpg[/img] [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Story-Tobacco.jpg[/img] Heeled to the duds with dangerous veggies. And, there was something else... [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Story17b-1.jpg[/img] Ah I couldn't see it so good. C'mon you darn eyes, [i]look![/i] [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Story18b-1.jpg[/img] Was that dry blood I saw? On...a spatula? The sick sight lured me to error once again, as the Man caught my wandering eyes and punished me with his voice. "One utensil fer every meat-eatin' sonuvab*tch chef I done killed. Pried outta their cold fingers. 'Less they convert, ya know. Personal crusade a' mine. I tried bein' tolerable once. Didn't like it. So it comes down to choice." He paused, as if lookin' back on a score a' bloodstained memories. "But I keep these har trophies to expose the yella of the bellies of my prey. Scare 'em 'fore I kill 'em. Pretty good story behind that ladle, but if you hear it, you'll be dead. Say, boy, you like winter squash with mushroom pilaf?" [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Story15b-2.jpg[/img] I blinked. My nerves were too caught up in a bear trap to get my voice a-workin', but finally did I summon somethin' pathetic outta the dusty depths of my lungs, hopin' not to light this dynamite's fuse. "Uh, sure thing, mister." He could see right through me. I felt like a three-legged buffalo running for his life. Lord, I was done for. "Glazed with a fine hollandaise sauce and slowly roasted over an open pit as delicate as you would handle a babe. Dash a' tarragon n' lemon butter...my oh my. Heaven, boy. Mmmm. Say, you sweatin' drops big as chickpeas. Are you...are you afraid a' me, boy?" If I didn't soil myself right then, it's 'cause the piss froze up outta fear. He wore a deliberate smirk 'tween those handlebars, one you couldn't paint on any more sinister-like. I tell you, I'd a' rather gone swimmin' in a lake full a' rattlers than try to answer that question again. I groped fer composure, n' mustered up another meek response. "Mister, I-I'm just a workin' man..." But he didn't care a lick a' what I had to say. He knew he could intimidate. Hell, he probably made his mama skittish like the dickens the day he was born. The bastard was just toying with me. [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Story5b-2a.jpg[/img] "See that smokehouse down yonder? The cook there likes to serve Swedish meatballs while whistlin' Dixie all day. Now, if there's two things I hate, boy, it's balls of meat and the Swedish. I may be forced to insert cabbages down his throat, leave 'im cold as week-old asparagus. And take his baster." Here he spat, and mouthed a wad of his vegetarian tobaccy. "Reckon I'll need to make a carcass outta any a' those roostered hicks who wantsta' unshuck his pistol and kick up a row. No amount a' that firewater is gonna give them courage enough. They wanna see some cookin'? They can taste my recipe for dyin'. And it may just taste like eggplant parmesan." He turned to me, at last, and flipped me a mushroom cap. "And maybe, with the cold dead slumps I make in each town, I can turn the world's graveyards inta vegetable gardens. Heck, even rivers die when they shake hands with the sea, boy. Course a' life, course a' death." I think he sighed, but not outta yearning. "A wise man once said that while onions can make people cry, there ain't never been a vegetable invented to make 'em laugh. Soon as I find one, I may have reason to educate the masses...instead a' killin' 'em. I intend on findin' it." He flicked his tiparillo by a fencepost and smacked his lips. The man tipped his stetson to me and moved on. Nobody saw him comin'. He was as invisible as darkness. Fact I heard cats tiptoe louder than this madman, but it made no difference. I hid in the stable when it started. Gunshots, ricochets, broken glass, flesh, blood, n' bone spray, and a noise I could only presume to be the repeated blunt clubbin' of his carrot, knockin' the galley west outta those sinnin' carnivores. Ol' Crotter the cook got the cabbage treatment alright. Damn shame, 'cause I loved those meatballs a' his. Smokehouse had a room full of men with coppers over their eyes and cucumbers jabbed in their jowls. The Man made sure that greens, not meat, were the last thing to pass through their throats. Fitch Calvin, the gravedigger and a vegeterian (by pure coincidence), had himself a busy week at the bone orchard after that. Lonesome he came, lonesome he rode on, cov'rin' the whole frontier on his mad quest, never to be fulfilled. Some say he roams in the flatlands of Oklahoma today, others think he dwells in the sunflower fields a' Kansas. And still others don't believe the legend at all. But I know the truth. There is a Man. Whether he is the wind or the dust floating upon it, he is out there, somewhere, fighting, unleashing his wrath upon some poor meat-eating chef with a heartful of stampeding rage and a fistful of cauliflower. [img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/neumdaddy/Story-WantedPoster.jpg[/img]

• Naughtia N

  
  This is a story about a divorced teacher who doesn't want to continue dating after finishing a relationship. Her family wants her to find a new boyfriend so they post an ad on a dating website for her. She gets many offers and when one of the offers sound to be good she decides… More
  This is a story about a divorced teacher who doesn't want to continue dating after finishing a relationship. Her family wants her to find a new boyfriend so they post an ad on a dating website for her. She gets many offers and when one of the offers sound to be good she decides to give it a try and she goes on a date with this guy. Very charming and sweet.

• Yinalí R

  
  Lovely story, and very entertaining.

• Curt C

  
  It is truly rare to encounter a movie like "Must Love Dogs"; one that fails at virtually every aspect of a film. Horrible soundtrack, pacing, unfunny comedy, and Diane Lane is horribly cast. John Cusack plays the intellectual everyman well, which is the film's one… More
  It is truly rare to encounter a movie like "Must Love Dogs"; one that fails at virtually every aspect of a film. Horrible soundtrack, pacing, unfunny comedy, and Diane Lane is horribly cast. John Cusack plays the intellectual everyman well, which is the film's one saving grace. Mind you, he rewrote 35 pages of his own dialogue in the film, so he has an unfair advantage over the others. Otherwise, people talk in a fashion you would never expect people to talk in. Lane and Cusack are also an anti-charismatic couple. I have no idea what he sees in her character. I "get it"; this is supposed to be love in the new millennium. Unfortunately, the internet dating scenes were the worst part of the movie. Hey, every guy on the planet is a loser except John Cusack! ... Well, ok, while that may be true, the extremes MLD went to were cringe-inducingly bad.

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