Watch Matters of Life and Dating

Matters of Life and Dating is a heartwarming and thought-provoking made-for-TV movie that originally premiered on Lifetime in 2007. The film cleverly interweaves the struggles of two women with very different backgrounds as they navigate the complexities of life, love, and illness. The first of these women is Linda Dackman, portrayed by Ricki Lake. Linda is a successful career woman who has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. As she processes the news and deals with the physical and emotional challenges of undergoing treatment, she finds herself grappling with a variety of difficult questions about life and its meaning. Matters of Life and Dating effectively captures the fear and uncertainty that come with a cancer diagnosis, while also showing Linda's resilience and strength as she faces down her illness.

The second woman at the center of the film is Nicole, played by Holly Robinson Peete. Nicole is a recently divorced woman who is trying to restart her dating life after years of being married. She's immediately thrown into the world of online dating, where she meets a variety of different men with varying levels of compatibility and interest. Matters of Life and Dating uses Nicole's storyline to explore the ups and downs of modern dating, highlighting both the excitement of meeting new people and the frustrations of dealing with flakes, liars, and other obstacles.

The two women's stories intersect when Linda and Nicole attend a support group for cancer patients and survivors. At the group, they both meet another woman, who gives them the sage advice that "life is for the living." This comment resonates with both Linda and Nicole, who begin to live their lives more fully, taking risks and embracing new experiences.

Of course, the road to self-discovery is never simple, and Matters of Life and Dating isn't afraid to delve into some of the darker aspects of these women's lives. For example, Linda's treatment takes a physical and emotional toll on her, leading her to seek comfort in the arms of a man who may not be good for her. Meanwhile, Nicole falls for a man who appears to be everything she wants, only to discover that he has some underlying issues that may make a relationship with him impossible.

Despite these darker moments, Matters of Life and Dating never loses its sense of hopefulness or its commitment to exploring the complexities of the human experience. Along the way, viewers are treated to top-notch performances from Lake, Peete, and the rest of the cast, including Rachael Harris as Linda's best friend and fellow cancer survivor.

Ultimately, Matters of Life and Dating is a touching and poignant film that tackles some of life's biggest questions. Though it's technically a "disease-of-the-week" movie, it's so much more than that, offering nuanced and honest portrayals of the joys and struggles of love and life. Whether you're dealing with a personal illness, navigating the dating scene, or simply looking for a well-made and engaging film, Matters of Life and Dating is definitely worth a watch.

Matters of Life and Dating is a 2007 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes.