Down with Love (2003)

Great Film overall

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Tried watching this on Netflix, it was fun, and you can really see how men are all worked up when women are powerful, successful, and when they know what they're doing.I love how the film started but along the way in that part where they're building their relationship I got bored then the plot twist in this film shocked me. I'm kinda amazed on how the writer played the characters.Hands down to Renee - her voice was so charming and sexy.8.4/10 -- WILL RECOMMEND TO MY FEMINIST FRIENDS

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.

I once saw pieces of Down with Love on TV. The film is extremely silly and over the top. That was the first thing that caught my eye then and made me interested. However, after all these years that level of silliness just feels annoying. Of course this movie has something amazing as well, like the kind of plot twists you would never see coming, and a lot of them. Still, even they don't seem to be enough to salvage the movie. It's boring, and eventually quite predictable, if you don't the plot twists that shuffle the pack a bit. The 60's aesthetic and music is a nice touch, but eventually this movie was a big let down. The cast is excellent, though.

It's 1962 NYC. Barbara Novak (Renée Zellweger) is new to the city. Vikki Hiller (Sarah Paulson) is publishing her new book "Down with Love" which teaches woman to live independently. Vikki and the book are both dismissed by her bosses. She gets Barbara an interview with dashing ladies' man Catcher Block (Ewan McGregor), a writer for a woman's magazine. Peter MacMannus (David Hyde Pierce) is his editor who sets up the meeting because he's infatuated with Vikki. Catcher brushes her off expecting a bookish spinster. Then the book becomes an international success and Barbara calls out his womanizing ways. He pretends to be Zip Martin to sweep her off her feet.This is a nice homage to the breezy 60s rom-com. Renée Zellweger is more than fun and she has sassy chemistry with Ewan McGregor. The style does overwhelm the story a little. Also, I expected a musical with that style. It's slightly disappointing that they don't break out into a song and dance until the closing credits. It's fun but it's also very light and fluffy.