Details
Movie Description
Part tribute to the Doris Day/Rock Hudson romantic comedies of the 1950s and 1960s, and part commentary on the changing sexual mores of a bygone era, DOWN WITH LOVE is a bright, funny, technicolor treat that sets out to prove that opposites attract. Set in early-60s New York, the film follows the exploits of hot new feminist author Barbara Novak (Renee Zellweger), whose best-selling book "Down With Love" teaches women to focus on their careers, and never fall in love. This viewpoint is in direct contrast with Catch Block (Ewan McGregor), the simmering, smooth journalist and man-about-town. Catch and Barbara soon become arch enemies. But as the book sales soar, Catch hatches a devious plan, disguising himself in an attempt to seduce the divine Ms. Novak, thereby debunking the myths of her book, and simultaneously winning the journalistic scoop of the year.
Director Peyton Reed has successfully emulated the comedies of yesteryear with this hammy, heady mix of endless double entendres, split-screen techniques, and a healthy dose of sexual politics. Zellweger and McGregor clearly delight in their retro roles, deliciously exaggerating their characters, with ample support provided by David Hyde Pierce and Sarah Paulson. DOWN WITH LOVE is a comedy that uses characters from the past to deliver a message that resonates in the present, and provides across-the-board appeal for audiences of all ages.
Film Notes
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Widescreen - 2.35
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Surround - French
Dolby Surround - Spanish
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Peyton Reed - Director
5 Deleted Scenes w/ Optional Director Commentary
Music Video - 1. "Here's to Love" by Ewan McGregor and Renee Zellweger
Lead Actors' Screen Test
Bloopers
7 Featurettes - 1. HBO Special
"Guess My Game" Segment
Theatrical Release Date: May 16, 2003 (NY)
Industry Reviews
"...Marc Shaiman's score deftly bends finger-popping lounge jazz with velvety orchestral swoons, while Jeff Cronenweth's cinematography approximates the bold, viscous tones of old-fashioned Technicolor..."
New York Times - A. O. Scott (05/09/2003)
"...Playfully synthetic....McGregor, who has so much heart that he puts feeling into his jokes, is wonderfully charming..."
Entertainment Weekly - Owen Gleiberman (05/16/2003)
"...The real fun lies in its vibrantly hued flair, with a wink and nod to the cheesy fun of Doris Day-Rock Hudson movies like PILLOW TALK..."
USA Today - Claudia Puig (05/16/2003)
"...Vividly shot....The film offers plenty of visual treats..."
Variety - David Rooney (05/12/2003)
"...Fortunately, as with everything else in the movie, the casting is a resounding triumph..."
Box Office - Wade Major (07/01/2003)
"...Pitched halfway between tribute and parody, DOWN WITH LOVE expertly replicates the Technicolor excess of the Day/Hudson era..."
Total Film - Jamie Graham (11/01/2003)
"...The film has an ease of touch that belies the tremendous effort that went into its making..."
Sight and Sound - Mark Olsen (11/01/2003)
"...True to the formula, but with a twist, it's a comic charmer..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (10/03/2003)
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