In the film Must Love Dogs, Sarah Nolan, played by Diane Lane, is a divorced preschool teacher who is pressured by her family to start dating again. Her sister Carol (Elizabeth Perkins) creates an online dating profile for Sarah and sets her up with several men, while her father (Christopher Plummer) encourages her to date a family friend. Sarah's first date is with Jake Anderson (John Cusack), a boat builder who also happens to be her sister's ex-boyfriend.
Despite a rocky start, Sarah and Jake begin to see each other more frequently and develop feelings for each other. However, Jake is still dealing with the aftermath of a previous relationship and is hesitant to commit to anything serious. Sarah also discovers that one of the men she met online is actually her estranged husband, who wants to reconcile.
As Sarah navigates the ups and downs of dating, she begins to trust her own instincts and learns to prioritize her own happiness. In the end, she realizes that sometimes love can come from unexpected places and decides to take a chance on Jake, who proves to be the right match for her.
Must Love Dogs is a romantic comedy that explores the complexities of modern dating and the importance of self-discovery. It features a talented cast, including Lane, Cusack, and Plummer, and is directed by Gary David Goldberg. The film was released in 2005 and received generally positive reviews for its heartwarming story and charming performances.