Must Love Dogs (2005)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Gary David Goldberg

Writers (WGA):

Claire Cook (novel)
Gary David Goldberg (screenplay)

Release Date:

29 July 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

The hardest trick is making them stay.

Plot:

A forty-something preschool teacher looks to the personals for a change of pace and a relationship, with hilarious results.

Plot Keywords:

Dog | Teacher | Love | Dating | Dog Park

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Diane Lane	...	Sarah Nolan
John Cusack	...	Jake
Elizabeth Perkins	...	Carol
Christopher Plummer	...	Bill
Dermot Mulroney	...	Bob
Stockard Channing	...	Dolly
Ali Hillis	...	Christine
Brad William Henke	...	Leo
Julie Gonzalo	...	June
Glenn Howerton	...	Michael
Ben Shenkman	...	Charlie
Jordana Spiro	...	Sherry
Kirk Trutner	...	Deli Guy
Victor Webster	...	Eric
Michael Spound	...	Marc

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sexual content.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Armenian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Brazil:12 | Germany:o.Al. | Ireland:12A | Netherlands:AL | Argentina:Atp | Finland:S | Taiwan:PG-12 | Australia:M | Sweden:Btl | Czech Republic:12 | Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | South Korea:15 | New Zealand:M | USA:PG-13 | UK:12A | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Canada:PG (British Columbia) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Singapore:PG (edited for re-rating) | Singapore:NC-16 (original rating) | Philippines:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Columbia/Warner Bros. Ranch - 411 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

The dog "Mother Theresa" was played by two 6-month old Newfoundland puppies named Molly (who did most of the work) and Maeve (who performed the water scene). Director Gary David Goldberg adopted both puppies at the end of filming.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Jake commented that they would never remake Doctor Zhivago (1965), yet it was already remade in 2002 as a British mini-series and is currently being remade as a Russian mini-series.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Rebecca: The best place to meet a guy is at the supermarket. You don't need to waste a lot of time there, either. You see a guy holding a list, you know he's married. He's in the frozen food section carrying a small basket, he's single. I like to hang out by fruits and vegetables, there's a better chance of getting a guy who's healthy.

Movie Connections:

Features Giant (1956)

Soundtrack:

Excerpts from 'Dogs with Jobs' score

Flawed, but enjoyable

John Cusack and Diane Lane, two of the most interesting actors working today, make this somewhat predictable romantic comedy work. They flesh out characters from a pretty weak script, and make you want to know those characters better.

This film is not rocket science, but if you expect to enjoy a bit of romantic fluff, you will not be disappointed. The only frustrating thing is knowing how much more both of these fine actors is capable of. Given a strong script and inventive director, can you imagine what a great film they could make together?

For this viewer, the weakest part of the script was the two-dimensional nature of some the supporting characters. For example, why would a sensitive, romantic boat builder like Jake have a strip-club-loving sleazy lawyer friend as his only male pal? And while the long suffering younger brother character is amusing and well acted, his wife is non-existent. Also, why would the father become a Lothario upon the death of his wife? If he was really a great guy, wouldn't he continue to act that way?

Also, the script never seems sure whether it wants Diane Lane's character to be comical or touching. The montage showing her entering computer dating with a gusto seemed forced - it aimed for a Bridget Jones type breeziness, but missed - and the singalong to the Partridge Family theme song scene was downright embarrassing. Thankfully Cusack was not subjected to that scene!

All in all, a good one to see if you love the leads, but don't expect belly laughs. It might leave you a little wistful for a romantic comedy as fresh as "Say Anything".... (sigh)