SNMR 1.1: "Must Love Dogs"

Tonight begins what will now be a regular feature of this blog. Introducing my Saturday Night Movie Review (TM), hereafter referred to as SNMR.

We'll begin this feature with "Must Love Dogs," (2005, PG-13, 98 minutes) starring John Cusack, Diane Lane, Dermot Mulroney, Elizabeth Perkins, Stockard Channing and Christopher Plummer. The film was directed by Gary David Goldberg.

My friend tink has recently posted about this movie. She thought it was good but didn't review it. As it turns out I bought this movie on DVD when it first came out but hadn't gotten around to actually watching it. So I decided to make this my choice for tonight.

I'm generally a fan of John Cusack's movies and I absolutely think Diane Lane is a very beautiful, talented and underrated actress. I've thought this ever since I saw her in "The Outsiders" (see SNMR 1.6 for a review) waaay back in the 8th grade.

From the DVD's dustjacket:

"Pretty pre-school teacher Sarah Nolan (Diane Lane) is divorced, demoralized and dateless - until her sister posts her profile at perfectmatch.com. Now she has lots of dates. With weirdos, weepers, lechers, jocks - and Jake (John Cusack), a soulful boat builder whose idea of true love comes out of Dr. Zhivago. Jake is attractive, smart and maybe a bit too intense. So Sarah passes him by. And maybe passes up her one real chance for love.

With a witty script and irresistable stars (including Christopher Plummer as Sarah's widowed dad, weaving his own worldwide web of romance and Stockard Channing as his new lady friend), this romantic comedyis as delightful a surprise as a perfect blind date. Dont miss out: love could be just a mouse click away!"

I thought this movie was overall very good. It seemed to hit home for me in some ways and I got a few chuckles out of it where it was supposed to be funny. There were some parts that seemed held together with glue, that could have easily been expanded on or completely left out without affecting the overall story. The script was decent, the supporting cast was good but the movie was definitely held together by the performances of the two leads.

I'll give this movie three and a half stars out of five. I don't think it will prove over time to be a classic like When Harry Met Sally has become, but it is definitely worthwhile to rent, if not own, especially if you are a fan of romantic comedies.