There is a lot of potential in the new romantic comedy “Must Love Dogs.” Diane Lane and John Cusack are two likable actors who have had success in this genre, so putting them together should be an instant ticket to success.

Unfortunately, Lane and Cusack are overshadowed by a film with too many spare parts. “Must Love Dogs” is flooded with characters so quirky, it’s like the film takes place in an alternate universe.

Lane plays Sarah, a recently divorced preschool teacher who isn’t sure how to get back into the world of dating.

Despite her uncertainty, her family is determined to help her by putting her profile on an online dating service. After a series of missteps Sarah meets Jake – who also happens to be a recent divorcee unsure about how to pick up the pieces.

While Jake acts as Sarah’s safe option, she is also smitten with Bob (Dermot Mulroney) – the womanizing father of one of her students.

When “Must Love Dogs” centers on Sarah and Jake, the film works, but the relationship almost seems like an afterthought.

It’s one thing to put Bob in the film as the obvious roadblock to the relationship, but “Must Love Dogs” is filled an endless amount of distractions.

Some of these subplots are OK – Christopher Plummer is very good as Sarah’s philandering father – but many feel out of place. Stockard Channing’s character isn’t interesting enough to merit a key scene, let alone multiple moments. By the time “Must Love Dogs” decides to give the local butcher significant screen time, it is pretty apparent the film is spinning its wheels.

That’s not to say the cast doesn’t do a commendable job. To their credit, everyone makes this film more passable than annoying. I just wish “Must Love Dogs” would have played more to its strength than its glaring weaknesses.

Discount dandy of the week

This week’s discount dandy is “High Tension” (B) – a very effective French horror film that takes a simplistic premise and milks it for every ounce of suspense possible.

“High Tension” begins innocently enough. Marie and Alex (Cecile De France and Maiwenn Le Besco) are a pair of college pals who head to Alex’s parents’ country home to study. Marie also sees the trip as a chance to reveal to Alex that she wants to be more than just friends.

The peaceful weekend takes a tragic turn when a stranger shows up in the middle of the night and methodically murders Alex’s family and takes Alex as a hostage.

Marie manages to elude the killer, but remains in danger as she tries to help rescue Alex before she suffers the same fate as the rest of his family.

Director Alexandre Aja, who also co-wrote the screenplay, does a marvelous job of staging some intense cat and mouse sequences – giving “High Tension” a lot of punch.

I will concede the film’s final twist is rather improbable if you actually think about it, but I liked it anyway. And even if you don’t buy the ending, “High Tension” has enough ingredients to make it an entertaining slasher-flick.

“High Tension” opens Friday at the Plaza 6, where all movies are $1.50.

– Sportswriter/ movie reviewer Micheal Compton really wants to discuss the twist in “High Tension” with someone – ANYONE – who has seen the film, but he’s yet to find a co-worker that has even heard of “High Tension.” Help him out. See the movie and drop him an e-mail at mcompton@bgdailynews.com. Maybe then he’ll stop annoying everyone else in the office.

Must Love Dogs

Starring: Diane Lane, John Cusack

Director: Gary David Goldberg

Rating: PG-13 for sexual content

Playing at: Great Escape 12, Highland Cinemas (Glasgow, opens Friday)

Grade: C