DOWN WITH LOVE Rating: (out of 5 stars) Director: Peyton Reed Producers: Bruce Cohen, Paddy Cullen, Dan Jinks, Arnon Milchan Writer: Eve Ahlert, Dennis Drake Director of Photography: Jeff Cronenweth Cast: Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Sarah Paulson, David Hyde Pierce Visit the IMDB page for full cast and crew.

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Review by: Kim Justice
5/19/03

I was born in 1976. I missed the Rock Hudson, Doris Day days and the movies from that era that Down with Love parodies. But, since I watch a lot of television, I can admit to catching my fair share of 60s movie clips during late night remote control searches, and Down With Love seems to have hit the nail on the proverbial head. Unfortunately, that only makes it a good film to people who like movies like Pillow Talk -- a group to which I've never paid union dues -- and barely a bearable film to that section of women who won't miss the opportunity to catch Ewan McGregor without a shirt (I'm the self-elected President of that particular club).

Down with Love tells the story of Barbara Novak (Renee Zellweger), a new arrival in 1962's New York City who's just had her book published with the help of her editor, Vikki Hiller (Sarah Paulson). When Vikki and Barbara meet with the all-male bigwigs at the publishing house, they quickly discover that a book which supports sexual independence for women is never going to get the publicity it deserves. So Vikki sets up a meeting with Peter MacMannus (David Hyde Pierce), the owner of Know Magazine (for men in the know), and his star reporter Catcher Block (Ewan McGregor) -- a ladies' man, a man's man, a man about town -- hoping to get Barbara and her book on the cover. Catcher manages to evade Barbara long enough to make her swear she'd never meet him again "for 100 years."

But when Barbara's book becomes an international bestseller, the ladies' man, man's man, man about town, Catcher Block, sees his wellspring of hot, young, one-night stands suddenly dry up. Cursing these "down with love girls," Catcher decides to assume another identity and make Barbara Novak fall in love with him so that he can later expose her as a fraud and hopefully regain his active sex life.

There are some twists and turns which many of you could probably figure out, and one or two you probably wouldn't expect, but I won't spoil anything here just in case it all catches you off guard.

I went into this film with no real opinion, and I left with the same apathy. I didn't care about the characters, I didn't care about the plot until very late into the film, and I decidedly do not care if I ever see this film or another like it again. Harsh, yes, but honest. I believe that movies should take you away (much like 60s bubble bath product Calgon) and send you on a journey that will make you forget your life for a while. During Down With Love, I couldn't wait to get back to the drudgery of everyday, 21st century life, complete with gangs, terrorists and Martha Stewart. For me, that's a failing mark for a film.

But, again, the filmmakers do a good job, succeeding with what it was they are trying to do. I just didn't like it. It bored me. It seems as though they try to throw a message at the audience at the film's end, but sending a message through a 60s sex-romp comedy parody is almost as bad an idea as making Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle… or Charlie's Angels, for that matter.

McGregor is great, Pierce is fantastic, if not a bit type-cast, and Zellweger hits her usual range of pouty facial expressions, along with a walk that, I must admit, is one of the best parts of the film. Paulson, however, is the real standout for me. She seems the most at home in her character, from the first moment I saw her onscreen. The sets and costumes are pinpoint perfect, and I can't fault the direction. It has all the working parts necessary for a good film, but I just didn't buy it.

Again, if you like those 60s films you'll probably get a real kick out of Down With Love. But if you're a little younger like me and don't watch movies made before Star Wars, most of this film may be lost on you. Likewise, if you don't like airy comedies, this film won't have the substance you crave, and you'll have to see The Matrix: Reloaded again… which isn't such a bad thing.

(A 20th Century Fox release. Opened in wide release on May 16, 2003.)