I like this movie alot. although in the middle i find it pretty sad when John Cusaks character sees her kissing another guy and everything gets messed up. It is a bit predictable, but that can be good sometimes. Great movie to watch when ur in the mood to watch a romantic film. there are a few scenes with hints of sexuality. but its isnt that bad
Must Love Dogs
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Cute but predictable -- teen girls may like it.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Must Love Dogs was written by Cynthia Fuchs
Parents need to know that the movie includes repeated references to dating, body descriptions ("voluptuous"), and sex, including a couple of scenes in bed, and one in a shower (here the protagonist is naked, her back to the camera, alone and upset), as well as some party drinking. A woman ends up on a blind date with her father. There is some mild profanity. As its focus is Internet dating, the film also shows how it involves performing, deceiving, and self-deluding. A middle-aged woman "chats" with and attracts the attentions of a 15-year-old, whom she sends home immediately.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about Sarah's family's meddling in her dating business: they mean well, but the film suggests they are pushy too, such that Sarah worries about being single. How is Sarah distracted by her widower father's dating? How is her choice between Bob and Jake reduced to who seems less "scary" to her? How does the Internet affect the ways people interact, in romance and as families?
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More on Must Love Dogs
What’s the Story?
Preschool teacher and divorcee Sarah (Diane Lane) doesn't want to think of herself as desperate, but her family -- widower dad Bill (Christopher Plummer), a bunch of brothers, and a couple of sisters, including Carol (the excellent Elizabeth Perkins) -- press the point. With Carol's prodding, Sarah enters her data into a dating site. Though her first "match" is her father ("This is disturbing on so many levels," she groans), she persists, meeting with a number of bad matches (sad guy, cocky guy, preoccupied guy), until she finds Jake (the way-too-smart-for-formula-comedies John Cusack). Also recently divorced, he loves Doctor Zhivago (because it's about "a love so real it hurts even after you're dead") and crafts wooden skulls (boats) for a living. He's clever, speeds through his dialogue ("You are kind of 'voluptuous,'" he notes, observing a dubious description in her Internet ad, "in a minimalist kind of way"), and worries about how he comes across. He is, in a word, perfect guy.
Is It Any Good?
Burdened by a familiar premise (Internet daters are desperate), MUST LOVE DOGS constrains its excellent performers. Sarah wants most to avoid the fate of one of her father's girlfriends, the dazzling Dolly (Stockard Channing). She sees the Internet as a new horizon ("It's part fantasy, part community," she gushes, "And it lets you pay your bills naked"), but thinks again when she meets in person one of "chat" partners, a 15-year-old boy who's developed a serious crush on her.
Perhaps because he's so young, this kid has conviction, though he duly leaves when instructed ("Do your homework," says Dolly has she loads him in a cab). Sarah's route to her relationship is more roundabout, even though Jake is obviously the right choice. Cusack's refreshingly odd physical and verbal rhythms only make you want to see more of him. And why does Jake spend even a minute with the nubile, cheap-joke-in-a miniskirt Sherry (Jordana Spiro)? He's so obviously Sarah's right choice that the rest of the movie looks like wheel-spinning.
Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros., Director: Gary David Goldberg
Run time: 98 minutes
Theatrical release: 7/29/2005, DVD release: 12/20/2005
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual content
Run time: 98 minutes
Theatrical release: 7/29/2005, DVD release: 12/20/2005
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sexual content
Our Members Say
See 9 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Very Good movie 13+
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Kids ages: 15, 16
I rate this title on for age 13 and give it- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I enjoyed the movie. It was kind of predictable but that can be comforting sometimes. Use your discretion as a parent before allowing your teen to view it. J.E.N.
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I rate this title on for age 16 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
OK for 16 & up, not preteens
Sarah's older sister is trying to help her get back into dating after a divorce. The internet dating angle is probably close to real, shows good & bad results (e.g.- one date being her own father who found it rather humorous). Close family, but maybe a little pushy concerning her personal life. Yes, basically it's a 'chick flick' but my husband enjoys it, too.
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I rate this title iffy and give it
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I rate this title on and give it
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Ratings at a Glance
| 40% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
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