Must Love Dogs

Must Love Dogs is a 2005 American romantic comedy film based on Claire Cook's 2002 novel of the same name. Starring Diane Lane and John Cusack, it is the second and final film to be written, produced, and directed by Gary David Goldberg and was produced on a budget of $30 million. The film focuses on a woman's struggle with divorce and meeting new people afterward.

Production started on October 12, 2004, with a release date of July 29, 2005. Critical opinion was slightly mixed to unfavorable, who called it predictable, but indicated that the actors were not to blame. The film was also the final project ever to be produced by independent company Ubu Productions. It took the fifth spot on its opening weekend, and has grossed $58.4 million worldwide. The film was released on VHS and DVD on December 20, 2005, and then released on Warner Archive Blu-ray disc on November 26, 2024.

Sarah Nolan, a 40-year-old divorced preschool teacher, is urged by her family to date. Showing her photos of potential men, she is not interested in pursuing a relationship. Jake Anderson, another recent divorcé, is in a similar position; his friend Charlie wants to match him with Sherry. However, he prefers focusing on his handcrafted boats.

Sarah's sister Carol visits and they discuss Bob Connor, a parent from school. Sarah finds him attractive but does not want anything complicated. Carol sets up an ad for her on perfectmatch.com, using her high school graduation photo. She is described as voluptuous and her dates "must love dogs" (Sarah is currently caring for her brother Michael's Newfoundland, while he goes through marital problems). She has several disastrous dates with men: a cryer, a criminal, and an almost pedophile.

Jake is confronted by Sherry at an art gallery, who wants to know why he did not call, but he is not interested. Charlie then hands him a copy of Sarah's dating profile, telling him he has a date with her the next day at a dog park. It proves to be awkward: Jake shows up with a borrowed terrier and offends her when he begins to analyze her profile, then he reveals the dog is not really his. When she accuses him of being deceptive, he points out the requirement was "Must love dogs," not "Must own a dog." Sarah leaves abruptly but agrees to see him again.

Sarah and Jake go to dinner, where he asks her why she got divorced. She explains that her ex stopped loving her and was never ready to have children. Now, her ex is with a woman fifteen years younger with a baby on the way. The date progresses back to her house, where they find neither has a condom. They frantically drive around the city seeking condoms, but when they finally find them neither is in the mood.

Jake tells Charlie that Sarah intrigues him so, that night, he tries to call her. Meanwhile, as she has connected with Bob Connor, she shows up at his home but finds him with her much younger co-worker, June. Sensing they are on a date, she flees, dropping her wallet.

Arriving home, Sarah finds her brother Michael drunk over his marital problems, and Jake, who has been taking care of him. Jake and she share a kiss, he then takes Michael home while she lights candles to set the mood. Bob shows up ahead of Jake, returning her wallet. He says he and June are not involved, and then kisses her just as Jake gets back. Upset, he leaves.