Down with Love (2003)

Pretty Good

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

Fresh and Exciting

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

This is a romantic comedy set in the early 1960s in New York City. It is done is the style of the romcoms that Doris Day starred in during the 1950s and 1960s. This is a pale imitation of them. Although the stars Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor have acted very well in other films, they're awful in this. Zellweger and McGregor can't decide whether they're paying homage to Doris Day romcoms or making fun of them. I don't know who the intended audience demographic for this film was. The large majority of film fans in the 21st century aren't into this style of comedy; those who are wouldn't enjoy this mediocre copy of them. It's too tame and bland to be a funny parody and too badly made to be a good imitation of them.

More than a hint of Day and Hudson here. The general similarity to Pillow Talk and Lover Come Back is unmistakable, and yet this movie is fresh, amusing and delightful. It's light and fluffy and the leads are wonderfully 60's camp in their roles. No deep thinking is necessary here - it's not Dr. Zhivago, after all. However, the level of amusement (and nostalgia) is high. Renee and Ewan play excellently off each other, and David is a delight, playing much like his character in Frasier. There are several recognisable actors in what amount to cameo parts, Tony Randal being one such. This too is an homage to similar characters he played in the Day/Hudson movies. All-in-all this movie is good, gentle fun.

"Down With Love" is an unsung gem. Its comedy is very specific (i.e. spoofing 1960s America and the stereotype-laden Hollywood films of the era), but in that context it is brilliant. The costumes are funny. The sets are funny. The music (composed by Marc Shaiman and including songs by Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland) is funny. The dialogue is funny almost line by line. The faces the actors make (especially David Hyde Pierce in the role of Peter MacMannus) are funny. I have seen this film many many times and each time I discover new jokes, in addition to laughing at the ones I already know by heart.There is one scene that earns this film a 10/10 rating on its very own. Director Peyton Reed has rightfully called it the romantic-comedy equivalent of a car chase. I won't spoil it for you, but let me just say that it is the most hilarious use of a split-screen I have ever seen.The film also stars Renée Zellweger (Chicago) and Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge). It is not a musical, but there are several scenes where the actors look like they're seconds away from bursting into song. And stick around after the credits start rolling, you're in for a nice surprise.

Down with Love was a nice idea for a movie. I was expecting something fresh and original from this movie. The performances are consistent, and the fast-paced feel of the movie is nice, but the movie tries too hard. When I say the movie tries too hard, I mean the OTHER twist at the end. When Renee's character, Barbara, turns out to also be someone other than who we think she is. I was fine with Ewan's character using another identity, it made sense, but when Renee's character reveals she's someone else, it just ruined the movie for me.The movie is entertaining, but the twist is just annoying. It was unexpected, I can say that much, but it wasn't needed. The movie could've been much better without that twist.