Down with Love | | Cast : | Renée Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, David Hyde Pierce | | Director : | Peyton Reed | | Studio : | Twentieth Century Fox Home Video | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby | | Released Date : | May 16, 2003 | | DVD Released Date : | September 07, 2004 | | Language : | French (Dubbed), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | July 28, 2005 | | Summary | A Note About The Full Screen Edition | Content
 | This movie was a pleasant retreat from typical romantic comedies we have been getting too much of from Hollywood in recent years. Too much cynicism, sensibility and reality generally destroy what can easily be a light-hearted romantic comedy. Don't get me wrong, I would like to, every now and then be treated to a movie with a story line that was not written for a love-sick, day-dreaming teenager. But movies of this nature were never meant to be dissected and analyzed with the same cynicism and criticism one would use to analyze say, a period drama or even an erotic suspense thriller. Wonderfully written, produced, choreographed and filmed, it's a romantic comedy that takes you back to a time that cherishes simplicity, elegance and decency.
Those who intent to purchase the full-screen edition should however take note of this: As the film was shot in an extra wide 2.40:1 format, the DVD switched back to the wide screen format every now and then to preserve the composition of a few scenes. I find this somewhat unusual and distracting for a full frame DVD as most of my other full screen DVDs seem to pan and scan nicely through their original widescreen version. Due to the aspect ration of the film, the original widescreen version of this movie is best enjoyed through an extra large 16:9 widescreen TV. |
| Rating | | | Date | July 22, 2005 | | Summary | Couldn't have been worse :o( | Content
| Just for the record I loved all three movies with Day/Hudson/Randall. They depicted the place and time in which they play with wonderful costumes (Ms. Day's wardrobe still dazzles me after so many decades) so well and teamed up some fine actors who simply worked great together. To compare these movies to DWL is like trying to compare apples with oranges, i.e. not possible!
Ewan McGreogor and Renee Zellweger may be able to sing but their portrayal of the main character can only be called wooden. And the dialog and story??!! I mean who writes something like that and what's even more puzzling why do they even bother to produce this? Having said all this I have to admit that it is not ALL bad. Up until the point where Barbara tells Catcher who she really is I thought the story was sort of OK (not good but OK). But Barbara's monolog? I mean, hello? How gullible do these movie people think we are to believe that we would ever buy that?
From that monolog onwards I didn't like the story at all. The only reason why this movie gets one star is because of the great soundtrack and the set and costumes. Would I buy this DVD? I think you know the answer to that one. And it's really too bad because this could have been really good. Try a little harder next time, OK? Just for the sake of all movie loving people out there!
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| Rating | | | Date | May 25, 2005 | | Summary | One of my favorite guilty pleasures... | Content
| Okay, I'll admit it--I am unabashedly in love with this movie. Yes, it's cheesy. Yes, it's over-the-top. Yes, the plot twists are a little on the unbelievable side. But that's what makes it such a guilty pleasure for me.
Down With Love is a homage to the old Rock Hudson/Doris Day movies of the 60's, but it's worth watching on its own merits. It's bright and colorful, the dialogue is fantastically witty, and it's just fun. Ewan McGregor is especially charming and sexy in this film, Renee Zellweger is great, and David Hyde Pierce is hysterically funny as always. And if you're a fan of Moulin Rouge or Chicago, there's a chance to see Renee and Ewan sing and dance together during the credits.
The DVD contains, among other things, a running commentary by director Peyton Reed, and a hilarious blooper reel that's worth the price of the DVD by itself.
Down With Love is definitely one of my favorite indulgences--perfect for curling up with a big bowl of ice cream and watching on a rainy night. |
| Rating | | | Date | April 29, 2005 | | Summary | Down with Love good, but watch Pillow Talk first! | Content
| Definitely watch "Pillow Talk" before you view "Down with Love". The former is pure delight. One would think the humor in a Doris Day-Rock Hudson sex comedy would be outdated by now, but to my surprise, it was not. |
| Rating | | | Date | April 23, 2005 | | Summary | Silly Sixties Spoof | Content
| If you're looking for something silly, corny, retro and absolutely brainless to do with a couple of hours, this is your movie. Suspend all belief, all common sense and above all, all your knowledge of Rock Hudson and Doris Day, and sit back and enjoy the gosh-darn-awful sixties cars, decor and fully loaded bachelor pads, and the knock-your-eyes-out women's fashion.
Renee Zellweger gives her facial muscles a work-out playing Barbara Novak, author of a new best selling self help book, for women, with the catchy title of the movie. Ewan McGregor plays Catcher Block, ladies man above all ladies men, hot shot expose journalist, who's out to prove Barbara wrong at all costs. Sarah Paulson is Barbara's pushy yet effective editor Vikki Hiller, and David Hyde Pierce recreates his Frazier character Niles all over again as Peter MacMannus, Catcher's neurotic editor.
Ewan McGregor plays a perfect sleaze-ball, but the scenes where he took off his shirt had me in fits of laughter over his total lack of tone. Unevenly growing body hair and scrawny frames may have been fashionable then, and may even excite some people now, but this girl prefers firm meat on the bones. (Hellooooo Will Smith in I, Robot)
Intentionally over-acted, perpetually silly and well seeded with funny bits, this movie had me chuckling in places, even though I had trouble swallowing the longest twist in the history of movies near the end.
It's more a 3.5 star movie, but for those grand entrances by Barbara Novak and Vikki Hiller, and that last sing and dance number, I'm prepared to round upwards.
Amanda Richards, April 22, 2005
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