Down With Love [WS]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

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 (Renee 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

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (Cinemascope)
• Audio: Dolby Digital Surround
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Features:
  • cc
  • Audio commentary by director Peyton Reed
  • Deleted scenes with optional director's commentary
  • HBO special
  • 8 production vignettes
  • Gag reel
  • Music Video: "Here's to Love" performed by Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Renee Zellweger - Barbara Novak
       Ewan McGregor - Catcher Block
       Sarah Paulson - Vikki Hiller
       David Hyde Pierce - Peter MacManus
       Rachel Dratch
       Jack Plotnick - Maurice
       Tony Randall - Theodore Banner
       Dorie Barton - Sally

• Director:

  Peyton Reed

• Producer:

  Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks

• Screenwriter:

  Dennis Drake, Eve Ahlert

• Cinematographer:

  Jeff Cronenweth

• Musical Direction/Supervision:

  Chris Douridas

• Composer (Music Score):

  Marc Shaiman

• Musical Direction/Supervision:

  Laura Z. Wasserman

• Featured Music:

  Ron Miller

• Editor:

  Larry Bock

• Production Designer:

  Andrew Laws

• Art Director:

  Martin Whist

• Executive Producer:

  Arnon Milchan, Paddy Cullen

• Set Designer:

  Don Diers

• Costume Designer:

  Daniel Orlandi

• Sound/Sound Designer:

  John Pritchett

• First Assistant Director:

  Todd Michael Amateau

• Casting:

  Francine Maisler

REVIEW:

• Peyton Reed's Down With Love walks a very fine line. By creating what is simultaneously a satirical look at and a sincere love-letter to the no-sex comedies of Doris Day and Rock Hudson, Reed has fashioned a confection of a movie that will either alienate viewers or fill them with giddy delight. For the film to work on any level, the performers have to find and maintain the perfect tone. Luckily the players are more than up to the task. Ewan McGregor has the ability to preen without irony and still manage to communicate the humor in his character's vanity. Rarely has an actor gotten more laughs with just his body and boxer shorts. Renee Zellweger proves once again that she is a first-rate actress by expressing her character's proto-feminist thinking, while still being able to want for all the things she is supposedly against. She also delivers one of the most difficult but hilarious monologues ever written, and pulls it off in great style. David Hyde Pierce and Sarah Paulson provide flawless support throughout, with Hyde Pierce getting huge laughs with some very subtle throwaway material. Those unfamiliar with Pillow Talk and Lover Come Back may have a difficult time accepting the look, pace, and tone of the film, but those who appreciate style for the sake of style as well as unabashedly romantic comedies will find much to enjoy in Down With Love. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi