The title refers to a reference made in an ad that Sarah (actually Sarah's sister) put on PerfectMatch.com to find a date and start a new life after being divorced for eight months. She is played by Diane Lane with the charm that only exists in a wonderful actress and the amount of shyness that is required for these kinds of roles. It was only four years ago when she left us breathless in "Infidelity" and one year later when she inspired women and us men too in "Under the Tuscan sun". She's the kind of actress you can't say no to.
And so is John Cusack, if we talk about men. His confidence and naturalness and selective role choosing make him an actor worth watching. He proved he wasn't just romantic comedies material with two fine performances in "Runaway Jury" and "Identity". Now he's back on safe soil, playing Jake, a divorced boat builder who also philosophies about life, love relationships, theories and possibilities. He has that good old look on his face.
When he and Sarah meet for the first time, they don't have any idea of what they are doing. He's with a dog he can't control and she's with a big dog. "The dog is not mine", he says. "So you came here on false pretenses", she tells him. "No, the ad said must love dogs; not must own dogs: I do love dogs". Soon, Sarah reveals the dog she's with is not hers either; and we feel the chemistry between the characters.
The story is the one we know by heart, and the one anyone should expect when watching films like these; because if not, we wouldn't even watch them. Sarah and Jake's encounters occur with various results that include a late night search for a condom and an honest talk that makes Sarah realize she could know more about this man than about her husband. There's also another man in the mix, Bob (Stallone himself, Dermot Mulroney), father of one of Sarah's student, who seems fascinating and also wants to win her heart.
Sarah is backed up by her family; they all insist the right man for her is out there and that she needs to look for him. They are portrayed by a very vivid cast of legends and talented actors. Christopher Plummer plays Dad Bill with all of his tricks, Elizabeth Perkins plays Sister Carol, Ali Hills plays Sister Christine and a graceful Stockard Channing is Bill's couple Dolly. Jake has his best friend Charlie, a sex fan played by Ben Shenkman.
The movie was directed by Gary David Goldberg, who also wrote the screenplay based on a novel by Claire Cook, with lots of beautiful lines and moving moments. It is visually correct and it leaves nothing to desire. Now is when I talk about why the film is not perfect and about why there were things I disliked when I consider it good.
When the music with the violins starts, if you know what I mean, you say: "Not again". Here, I went with it I couldn't help it. I don't know, I felt the same about "Under the Tuscan sun" when I watched it but, it had Diane Lane. "Must Love Dogs" also has Diane Lane and a couple of elements more that make the picture simply irresistible. Let's not discuss about it.
And so is John Cusack, if we talk about men. His confidence and naturalness and selective role choosing make him an actor worth watching. He proved he wasn't just romantic comedies material with two fine performances in "Runaway Jury" and "Identity". Now he's back on safe soil, playing Jake, a divorced boat builder who also philosophies about life, love relationships, theories and possibilities. He has that good old look on his face.
When he and Sarah meet for the first time, they don't have any idea of what they are doing. He's with a dog he can't control and she's with a big dog. "The dog is not mine", he says. "So you came here on false pretenses", she tells him. "No, the ad said must love dogs; not must own dogs: I do love dogs". Soon, Sarah reveals the dog she's with is not hers either; and we feel the chemistry between the characters.
The story is the one we know by heart, and the one anyone should expect when watching films like these; because if not, we wouldn't even watch them. Sarah and Jake's encounters occur with various results that include a late night search for a condom and an honest talk that makes Sarah realize she could know more about this man than about her husband. There's also another man in the mix, Bob (Stallone himself, Dermot Mulroney), father of one of Sarah's student, who seems fascinating and also wants to win her heart.
Sarah is backed up by her family; they all insist the right man for her is out there and that she needs to look for him. They are portrayed by a very vivid cast of legends and talented actors. Christopher Plummer plays Dad Bill with all of his tricks, Elizabeth Perkins plays Sister Carol, Ali Hills plays Sister Christine and a graceful Stockard Channing is Bill's couple Dolly. Jake has his best friend Charlie, a sex fan played by Ben Shenkman.
The movie was directed by Gary David Goldberg, who also wrote the screenplay based on a novel by Claire Cook, with lots of beautiful lines and moving moments. It is visually correct and it leaves nothing to desire. Now is when I talk about why the film is not perfect and about why there were things I disliked when I consider it good.
When the music with the violins starts, if you know what I mean, you say: "Not again". Here, I went with it I couldn't help it. I don't know, I felt the same about "Under the Tuscan sun" when I watched it but, it had Diane Lane. "Must Love Dogs" also has Diane Lane and a couple of elements more that make the picture simply irresistible. Let's not discuss about it.