Review of Must Love Dogs (2005) by Jen K — 10 Aug 2008

Carol: [Jake and Sarah enter Sarah's house] "Hello! I filled your freezer again. There's now enough meat in there to feed every guy who answered your ad and still... whoa.

[enters room, sees Jake for first time].

Sarah: Jake did, in fact, answer the ad...

Jake: Do I get my meat?".

Eight months after her bitter divorce, Sarah (Lane) sifts through her large Irish family's misguided matchmaking attempts and wonders aloud if she'll ever find love again. With unsolicited assistance from her older sister, Carol (Elizabeth Perkins), Sarah posts a profile to an Internet dating website and enters a steady stream of social disasters. Two suitors gradually rise to the surface: outwardly nice Bob (Dermot Mulroney), and intense but ultimately decent Jake (John Cusack). by looking at the poster we can tel that Lane and Cusack are meant to mate, though the two share a minimal chemistry that's slow to form. We almost have more fun when the main couple is apart and interacting with their supporting players. Cusack's on cruise control, not sinking to sleepwalking level but hitting his marks with the casual stride of someone who's explored this territory before. His shuffle stands out in contrast to the nimble juggling act managed by Lane. Must Love Dogs is dependable filmmaking in an uneven genre, and it's a treat to see it sail evenly.

[Jake and Sarah are trying to buy some condoms because neither of them had any; Jake returns from a store to the car].

Jake: "They're out!

Sarah: How can they be out?

Jake: I have a theory about this. Everyone in the city is having sex at the exact same time... except for us. But we will press on.".