Down with Love (2003)
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60% of critics liked it
(168 reviews) -
57% of users liked it
(74,364 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
- Directed By
- Peyton Reed
- Written By
- Dennis Drake, Eve Ahlert
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Comedy
- In Theaters
- May 16, 2003 Wide
- Studio
- 20th Century Fox
Critic Reviews
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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.
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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?'
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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.
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Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
I love this film.
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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?
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Renée Zellweger
as Barbara Novak
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Ewan McGregor
as Catcher Block
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Sarah Paulson
as Vikki Hiller
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David Hyde Pierce
as Peter MacManus
- Rachel Dratch
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Jack Plotnick
as Maurice
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Tony Randall
as Theodore Banner
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John Storey
as Henri
- Jeri Ryan
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John Aylward
as EG
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Melissa George
as Elkie
- Ivana Milicevic
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Dorie Barton
as Sally
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Will Jordan
as Ed Sullivan
- Michael Ensign
- Warren Munson


