Thanks for the memories!

just watch it!

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

It's a tale old as time, lonely people searching for love, burned before, but only a singe, not a char. Diane Lane and John Cusack are divorcees who just happen to find each other in the park after he's seen her picture on a singles website. It isn't sparky at first sight, but as these films always go, top billed actors end up together whether they want to or not. So what you end up with is a nice date film, or more recently (and crudely) referred to as a "chick flick". This is the type of film that brings in smiles, first (and possibly last) dates, and yet ends up forgotten by the end of the night. In the case of this one, it's at least responsibly mature, and fortunately, not obnoxious like newer versions of the same old story. Yes, it's filled with clichés, some pathetic, others amusing. It really scores mainly because of the likability of the leads, practically too likable to be believable. If this serves any purpose, it is to indicate why people remain single in this modern age, either just really creepy beyond belief, too neurotic or self centered to even want to lightly socialize with.Christopher Plummer is total sophistication and elegance as Lane's father, whom Lane accidentally sets up a singles date with. He's not as tough to match, finding late middle aged romance with the somewhat bohemian Stockard Channing. Funny that the older characters have a more youthful and welcoming presence than the younger characters. They add the fizz to the champagne that would have gone flat had the vintage not been aged.

First, I only watch chick flicks like this because of my lovely lady. I do love dogs, John Cusack (GRIFTERS), and, of course, beautiful Diane Lane. Must Love Dogs is typical pleasant but not overwhelming romance with simple story and dialogue.Christopher Plummer plays a foolish widower with lots of ladies and little respectfulness. He seems under-performing in this role. However, in one late scene with Diane Lane, he steals the show with a turn in depth of character and truth. This short scene is worth the $$ of a rental. It's not Shakespeare, but when your heart skips, you will understand how a professional stage and movie actor can move you. Bravo! How often do we witness these snippets of great scenes and acting from trivial films that are memorable enough to cause you to smile in your memories years later? When you find them, it reinforces what movies are supposed to be. Hats off to a superb Canadian actor who reminds us of these special performances in an otherwise average film.Now, when I am with my special lady, and she wants to cozy up with a chick flick, I will not complain about THIS movie with THAT scene.

Sarah Nolan (Diane Lane) is recently divorced and is throwing in the towel. Her family just can't help getting involved in her personal life, or lack there of. After her sister puts her profile on PerfectMatch.com, this preschool teacher goes on a number of outrageous and hilarious dates. Bob (Dermot Mulroney) is the father of one of her students. Jake (John Cusack) is looking for true love.This is very much a by-the-numbers rom-com. There is nothing terrible about this movie. I like all the actors, and they are all lovely. Diane Lane is a dressed-down cutie. Both guys are likable. I do wish she picked one guy quicker.

As a man, I consider this to be a watchable yet frustrating "love" story. For sure, I say "love" because I was never really convinced of the characters true love for each other. I can forgive that for an amusing storyline and the fact that John Cusack is in it, as he is an extremely underrated actor who always brings a touch of genuine believability to his roles.So what really annoys me? Is why the hell a man like him should take her on, for no apparent reason I could see, after she'd gone off and had her fun with someone else first and then latched onto him like a limpet.I found myself screaming at the TV, "say NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO and stick to your boats, mate". Painful, but I suppose the film did get an emotional response.