Down with Love (2003)

60% of critics liked it
(168 reviews)
58% of users liked it
(73,453 ratings)

Director Peyton Reed and screenwriters Eve Ahlert and Dennis Drake pay homage to the frothy romantic comedies of the early '60s -- in particular the Doris Day/Rock Hudson vehicles -- in this light-hearted and affectionate spoof. Barbara Novak (Renée Zellweger) is a sweet but savvy small-town… More Director Peyton Reed and screenwriters Eve Ahlert and Dennis Drake pay homage to the frothy romantic comedies of the early '60s -- in particular the Doris Day/Rock Hudson vehicles -- in this light-hearted and affectionate spoof. Barbara Novak (Renée Zellweger) is a sweet but savvy small-town librarian who has arrived in New York City with big plans to take on the town. Embracing a feminist philosophy years before it becomes common or fashionable, Novak writes a book called "Down With Love," in which she presents her theory that romantic relationships cause more problems than they solve for women, and urges women to focus instead on what will truly make them happy -- self-reliance, a solid career, and a healthy sex life (or chocolate if the latter is unavailable at the moment). Almost overnight, "Down With Love" becomes a minor scandal and a major bestseller, but not every man is America is happy with the new breed of liberated (and demanding) women spawned by the book's success, and Catcher Block (Ewan McGregor), a lady-killing bachelor who writes for Know Magazine, decides to put Novak to the test. Posing as a shy, retiring type, Block is determined to make Novak fall in love with him, and then share the details with the world through an article in Know. Block's editor Peter MacMannus (David Hyde-Pierce) thinks this is a splendid idea, but to Block's distress, he discovers himself developing real feelings for Novak. Down With Love also features Tony Randall, who significantly appeared in three films with Rock Hudson and Doris Day. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Peyton Reed
Written By: Dennis Drake, Eve Ahlert
Genres: Drama, Romance, Comedy

In Theaters: May 16, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Oct 7, 2003
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Critic Reviews

Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
I think it compares favorably with Pillow Talk and Lover Come Back in its well-timed gags and verbal dexterity.
David Edelstein, Slate
After 10 minutes of getting poked in the ribs with every shot, I thought, 'Is it going to be like this for 90 minutes?'
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
We want to love it, but like a Rock Hudson rake, we keep finding fault in its allure. We want to hate it, but like Doris Day, we finally can't say no.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
I love this film.
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
This pitch-perfect imitation of a Rock Hudson-Doris Day nonsex comedy features Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor and a passel of visual delights. But why should we care?
Claudia Puig, USA Today
It's a cute premise, and several co-stars help keep the fun going for a while.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Hilarious spoof on '60s comedies for mature 14+.
Nick Rogers, Suite101.com
Director Peyton Reed keeps this fizzy comedy in an alluringly goofy tizzy from start to finish. This is undoubtedly the skillful battle-of-the-sexes laugher Rock Hudson and Doris Day would have made were they able to naughtily quip about bitches and hose.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
While the movie definitely has tongue lodged firmly in its postmodern cheek, every detail looks and feels authentic.
Christopher Smith, Bangor Daily News (Maine)
Zellweger and McGregor have only their dimpled cuteness to get them through this movie, which you sense, at least from their mugging, that they believe is enough. It isn't.
Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer
... as light, cheap, and ultimately as insubstantial as cotton candy. And yet, it inadvertently strikes some resonant chords.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
As it is, 'Down With Love' seems forced, with the principals looking like youngsters dressing up and over-acting to impersonate grown-ups.
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)
Bright and very funny... manages to recreate a filmmaking style that was practically a parody of itself in the first place.
Rob Blackwelder, SPLICEDWire
the multiple making-of bonus features on this DVD (wit vignettes on costumes, music, and even the use of split-screen) are genuinely entertaining in their own right...
Dan Jardine, Cinemania
All artifice, so little art. Does this film have anything new to offer? If not, why bother?
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Como esforço saudosista em recriar as ingênuas comédias românticas dos anos 60, o filme é bem-sucedido - mas não se destaca muito em seus outros aspectos.

Read all 16 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Jennifer X

Oh my god Renee was so obnoxious my respect for her plummeted to Nathaniel Rogers levels. The one redeeming quality of this film was Ewan McGregor. He was seriously sexy.
Eliza N

Ewan McGregor was marvelous ,as always!
Ken S

I enjoy this film way more than any straight man should.
Megan S

I loved the outfits and I love Ewan McGregor. The twist was silly and the scene where it was all "revealed" was kind of weird.
Luke B

A perfect homage to screwball comedies of the past. I saw perfect as it doesn't become restricted by such films and feels comfortable taking themes and situations more akin with todays films. The comedy is often predictable such as misunderstood eavesdropping (always a winner)… More
A perfect homage to screwball comedies of the past. I saw perfect as it doesn't become restricted by such films and feels comfortable taking themes and situations more akin with todays films. The comedy is often predictable such as misunderstood eavesdropping (always a winner) but it is pulled off with such grace it's hard to be too strict on the film as a whole. Everyone does a fantastic job, from the stars to the wardrobe department, in a team effort to recreate the sixties. Smart, not smug.
Film C

good film excellant storyline rlei watchit reli
Jens S

This is not a parody of 60s screwball comedies, it IS one. Set in the 60s, with a fitting soundtrack, looks, clothes and sets it has all the ingredients the old Rock Hudson - Doris Day movies had, including split screen telephone conversations, music collages and plenty of innuendos,… More
This is not a parody of 60s screwball comedies, it IS one. Set in the 60s, with a fitting soundtrack, looks, clothes and sets it has all the ingredients the old Rock Hudson - Doris Day movies had, including split screen telephone conversations, music collages and plenty of innuendos, misunderstandings and witty dialogues. McGregor and Zellweger are convincing in their roles, so is Pierce, although he simply seems to revive his role as Niles Frasier. So the movie is rather amusing and entertaining for the longest time, only the ending seems somewhat anticlimatic and is a tad disappointing. Still, not bad for a rainy day in front of the TV.
jay n

Tony Randall is perfect. Everybody else is arch beyond belief, Zellweger once again proves herself talent free
Dean M

This average comedy is part homage, part spoof batting-sexes romances and it doesn't make me laugh enough.
Michael G

A total novelty act, but it was fun. The movie looked like candy and I wanted to eat it.
Rico Z

Such a funny little movie. It's so kitschy, corny and irreverently sweet that you'll love the toothache it causes you. You have to be in a silly mood to watch this...otherwise you'll hate it.
Sanjaya &

Cool! I love Renee's performance. The music that they bring also good too!
Panta O

I am a fan of Renee Zellweger and not a great fan of Ewan McGregor, but I am really wondering what were they thinking before accepting these roles. Flat parody with no sparks at all! After this movie I would not recommend Peyton Reed as a director. Watch something else!
Deb S

`It's revenge...against men!' Set in the 1960s, the movie follows the story of Barbara Novak (Rene Zellweger), a lady with a female ax to grind who moves to New York City and has her book, `Down With Love,' published. She is set to be interviewed by Know… More
`It's revenge...against men!' Set in the 1960s, the movie follows the story of Barbara Novak (Rene Zellweger), a lady with a female ax to grind who moves to New York City and has her book, `Down With Love,' published. She is set to be interviewed by Know Magazine's star reporter, Catcher Block (Ewan McGregor), a combined roving bachelor and smug, successful journalist whose typical revolving-door treatment of women is a fine illustration of why the book was written. When Block continually misses meetings with Novak to discuss her book because his sexual escapades with stewardesses, she refuses to meet him. What's more, she badmouths Block as a man while on a television show discussing her book. Block then plans to get even by writing an expose on Novak. Pretending to be someone else, he plans on getting her to fall in love with him by abstaining from sex with her, the very opposite of what Novak writes that women should do in her book-forget the love and go straight for the sex. He's ready to put her in her place but it sort of blows up in his face when he starts to fall in love with her. Complete Eye Candy! The scenes, the costumes, the cinematography! Everything just grabs the eye, the sexual slap stick is rampant and Ewan and Renee give delightful performances. McGregor is delightfully suave, wicked and even boyish as the womanizing cad. The split screen montage of sexual positions was brilliant, and the musical number at the end was genius.
Alec B

Its too obnoxious and self aware for its own good. The music is good and David Hyde Pierce is hysterical but the film fails to really capture the essence of early 1960s romantic comedies or lampoon them either.
Nicolas K

If you love those old movies, you'll probably adore this new one.
ashley h

This movie was trying to be too Doris Day/rock Hudson and it just didn't work
Yinalí R

Weird..
Angela A

This movie is pure light-hearted silliness. The outfits are magic and the comedy is slightly screwball. There are moments which are reminiscent of Moulin Rouge while others are more like Austin Powers. It's just great for a laugh.
Sunil J

A charming look back at the 60s with the eyes of modern times.