Customer Reviews

Down With Love [VHS]

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(45)
3 star:		(27)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(27)

 

 

"Down with Love" is a little gem of a movie that pays homage to the vintage 60s Doris Day-Rock Hudson films that were considered so witty in their day.

Although director Peyton Reed explains in his excellent commentary (more about that later) that the film was based on a montage of many of the 60s movies, the plot most resembles "Pillow Talk"--and Renee and Ewan are absolutely perfect.

From the clothes to the sets to the photography to the color to the split-screen "talking on the phone" scenes (much more suggestive than the originals!), this perfectly choreographed, beautifully written romp is just a blast, as we would have said back then. There is just enough of a "wink-wink" to let you know that the actors know that YOU know that it's all tongue in cheek"--but even though the satire is broad, it never spoils the fun.

David Hyde-Pierce is superb as the neurotic friend of Ewan (the old Tony Randall role), and Tony Randall himself makes a cameo appearance that is simply the icing on the cake. The acting is a work of art, just right, making everything seem effortless.

But when one watches the director's commentary, one realizes just how tightly each scene was choreographed to achieve that "effortless" look--unlike most DVDs, I found the director's comments actually added to my enjoyment of the movie, and I watched it again after finishing his explanation of how things were done.

All in all, I recommend this movie highly. I truly hope they are successful enough to parody ALL the Doris-Rock movies. I'll be there to watch them if they do!

This is one of the cutest chick flicks I've ever seen. Romantic comedy? Well, sort of. Our heroine, feminist writer Barbara Novak (Renee Zellweger) is out to change the world. How? By getting women to say "down with love," and adopt a more male life style--complete with sex a la carte!

Novak's plans are jepordized, however, when playboy journalist Catcher Block (Ewan McGreggor) is abadoned by his usual ladies. He is determined to stop Novak once and for all--using some very sneaky methods...

As other reviewers have pointed out, this movie is certainly lacking in substance. But who cares? You wanted a comedy, right? What this movie does have, in delightful abundance, is that old theatre charm. The acting, the comedy, and the special effects are all WAY over the top. But hey, not every movie is meant to be some deep, insightful masterpiece. If you do look beneath the surface, however, you will find one very important lesson: people are not always what they appear to be.

Admittedly, I was hesitant to rent this movie, thinking it would be a cheap knock-off of a 60s re-make, but I was completely surprised. I don't see how this movie lacks in substance. It has the same wit and whimsy as the Doris Day/Rock Hudson sex comedies, except with a slightly jazzed up version of the 60s. Nothing ever replaces the classics, but Down With Love certainly holds its own with charm, suggestive humor and a clever script with a slinky little twist.

Costumes are amazing, acting is superb on all accounts (most especially by the sublime David Hyde Pierce). It's made of the stuff that Hollywood used to be about, and sometimes it's nice to have that nostalgic break in the current trend of controversial politico-religious films.

Renee and Ewan's chemistry is so on par that it takes the Hudson/Day connection to another level. This is a must see romantic comedy about the battle of the sexes. Men and women alike will love it.

This film kept me in stiches from beginning to end. Ewan McGregor is awesome as the leading man, but David Hyde Pierce as his nuerotic sidekick steals the show. The women were wonderful as well but the men made the movie for me.

This is a film that any fan of romantic comedies/Ewan McGregor/the 60s should own!

DOWN WITH LOVE, director Peyton Reed's homage/spoof of the Doris Day/Rock Hudson sex comedies of the early 60s, is a delightful bit of fluff in a movie season filled with inferior sequels and overwrought epics. Dazzling to watch, with Givenchy-inspired costumes (if Daniel Orlandi does not receive an Oscar for his work, his peers should turn in their Designer cards), wonderfully over-the-top sets (EVERYBODY in those 60s films lived in apartments you could land airplanes in), and a 'More 1963 New York than 1963 New York' look (created on the studio back lot, with ample support from CGI), the film would deserve a viewing even if the cast never uttered a line of dialog!

Fortunately, the script, by Eve Ahlert and Dennis Drake, is wickedly funny, full of the politically incorrect double entendres that were as close as Hollywood could get to actual 'naughtiness', 30 years ago (and, yes, there are more than a few present that WOULD have been censored, even then). The story, of a woman who writes a best-selling 'self-help' book eschewing the necessity of men for any more than 'casual sex', and the 'Hugh Hefner'-like writer who turns his prodigious charms to work, in the guise of a naive astronaut, to win her love, and thus discredit her theories, would have fit Doris Day and Rock Hudson to a 'T'. While Renée Zellweger and Ewan McGregor lack their role models' charisma, they have a pleasant chemistry together, and the 'split-screen' phone call scenes between the pair are even racier than the Day/Hudson 60s versions.

If the leads seem a bit bland, the supporting cast more than makes up for any shortcomings. In a role that SHOULD garner a 'Supporting Actor' Oscar nomination, David Hyde Pierce takes on the part assumed by Tony Randall or Gig Young in those 60s farces, that of the put-upon, neurotic, sometimes prissy friend of the hero. He is superb, even SOUNDING like Tony Randall, and steals every scene he's in. His 'opposite number', friend of the heroine Sarah Paulson, while not quite at Pierce's level, is still quite funny as a chain-smoking career woman who would chuck it all for the right man. And, in a FABULOUS piece of casting, the MAN himself, Tony Randall, appears as the book publisher whose bestseller is RUINING his love life. At 83, the man can still toss off a funny line...

With a very inventive 'twist-within-a-twist' climax, and Marc Shaiman's evocative score punctuating the proceedings, DOWN WITH LOVE is a delight!

Among the additional features that make this DVD a plus for your collection are featurettes about the costume and set design (you can see the joy everyone felt, recreating the era they grew up in), two making-of documentaries, a VERY funny blooper reel (McGregor asks, after blowing a cue, "Who am I?" to which an off-screen voice replies, "Obi-Wan..."), deleted scenes (including one set in a beautifully artificial Central Park), and the musical number, 'Down with Love', sung and danced by Zellweger and McGregor in a mock 60s TV variety show set.

While I won't deny that DOWN WITH LOVE isn't for everyone, if you love a good sophisticated comedy, or those wonderful farces of Day and Hudson, I don't think you'll be disappointed!

...stars, I do believe. We've all been there--clutching a second cup of coffee wishing somehow for a free moment instead of a day chock-full of necessary and tedious chores. Hunched down in my chair, total funk and this lovely came up--started watching and pretty soon I felt much better. So many pros from costume and set design to spot on perfect choreography and comedy timing--how could any world with such a silly, lively comedy be intolerable? So I slipped on my brightest togs, curled my hair, added a bright lip gloss and sashayed out the door on the way to the market. Ahhh, the power of Hollywood!

I just love Ewan and Renee (not to mention David & Sarah!) in Down With Love. Ewan and Renee have proved themselves over and over again to be fantastic performers, and in my book, this one is tops! I am so glad that they made this film, for those of us who miss this type of lighthearted, uplifting, classy work of days gone by -- not to mention being able to see Ewan and Renee in some real quality signing and dancing! WOW! True chemistry. Their timing is impeccable. And I've got to say, Ewan, a very handsome man in his own right, never looked sexier. Absolutely gorgeous. They were meant for this... They all were! It was all wonderful. The glamorous outfits, the bright sceneries, the spaciousness, the clever props, the catchy music, the perfectly timed split screen segment done as sleek and artistically as a dance... the whole cast -- Including Tony Randall to bring it all back!!! -- Nothing could have been improved upon. This piece has kick, bounce, nostalgia, wit and smooth elegance. David Hyde Pierce, playing Tony Randall's classic character role, is right on the mark. I couldn't imagine a closer match... and his sidekick, Sarah Paulson, is pure gold. This movie was made for them, and anyone who hasn't watched it, or who did but just doesn't get it, is missing something genuinely worthwhile. To not "get it" is your unfortunate loss. When "It's A Wonderful Life" first came out, it was considered one of the worst movies around, having done pitifully in the box office. People were simply confused and thought it to be unrealistic silly fluff. It wasn't until many years later, when it was shown by accident on TV, that it started being cherished for the rare gem that it truly is. And that simply goes to show that it is all about allowing yourself to relish and appreciate a work of art when it is presented to you. Move with it, sway with it, laugh, dance and sing with it -- Savor the clever twists and turns. When this is done, you will grasp Down With Love, and it will be valued for the fine quality labor of love that it always was -- just waiting for you to see.

First caught this film on pay cable TV.

I was very surprised I liked it as much as I did.

All the actors did a great job doing the 2003 version of a 1960's romantic comedy film.

Always enjoy watching my wide screen DVD.

It was a shame the film makers put this out in May of 2003 so it did not have a chance at the box office. It should have been released at a different time of year.

I haven't laughed so loud in a film since My Big Fat Greek Wedding! Ewan McGreggor is sumptuous as the rogouish Catcher Block, and Renee Zellweger was suprisingly pert and light hearted in her role as a down-in-love-but-I-really-just-want-to-get-married kind of girl. This movie may appear to be just another 60's spoof but is sophisticated in its production, attention to detail, and the performances are sterling. Every head turn by the women and twinkle in Ewan McGreggor's eye is timed to perfection and my imagination was carried away for the whole movie. Of particular delight is the musical number by Ewan and Renee at the end. This is what entertainment is supposed to be about - going out and having a little fun. If you want serious dialogue and Oscar winning cinematography then by all means go and see The Last Samuri, but keep this one for when you are in a good mood and can really appreciate that its a fun, charming and entertaining film. I will definetly be buying this DVD for my collection.

I really enjoyed this very funny film which presents an interesting aspect of gender roles and dating life in early 1960s. I wasn't even born then but I am fascinated by that period. The acting of Ewan McGregor and Renee Zellweger are impressive and they do have chemistry onscreen. My fave though is David Hyde Pierce who is totally hilarious. I agree with one post that says that this film would have done better if released during the year-end holidays. Well, I am definitely including this in my DVD collection.