“Must Love Dogs”

There’s something really heart warming about romantic comedies. And I am the first to admit I am a sucker for those feel good moments. Over the weekend, I managed to catch Must Love Dogs; starring John Cusack and Diane Lane. And I am totally bowled over by it. It’s been awhile since I caught something so refreshingly funny and sweet. (Do I hear someone gagging? :P) For me, it ranks somewhere at the top of the romantic comedy lists; i.e. almost on par with When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle.

Must Love Dogs is about a divorcee who had sworn off dating after her husband left her but her family pushed her back to the dating world. Her sister placed an online personal ad for her; declaring that anyone answering it “must love dogs” despite the fact that she did not own a dog herself; and had to borrow her brother’s dog “Mother Theresa” when someone intriguing responded to the ad.

There were some hilarious moments when her first date turned out to be her own Dad (who was also actively seeking for a date). And the subsequent dates she had with a few weird men who answered her ad was equally funny. One cried profusely saying that he had gone on over 70 first dates but never had a second date; and another date talked non stop and never heard a single outrageous word she said. And of course who could forget the moment she met John Cusack and the antics of their dogs!

There were touching moments when Dad told her that he already had the “love of his life” and no one could match up to her mom. What he was looking for now was to find “dates” to pass the time till his death. There were moments with John Cusack; which were so heart warming without going over the top in mushiness. I shall not elaborate more. Watch the movie yourself and be the judge.

I think I am in love with John Cusack’s character. Call me a cynic but a man like this does not exist, or if he does, I have not had the good fortune to meet him. The spectrum between reality and fairy tale endings are so far off. We can only live and enjoy that moment of fantasy. After all, it only exists in the movies. Must Love Dogs is a must see especially for all those closet romantics. : )