| Down with Love (Full Screen Edition) | 
 enlarge | Director: Peyton Reed
Actors: Renee Zellweger, Ewan Mcgregor, Sarah Paulson, David Hyde Pierce, Rachel Dratch
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Category: DVD
List Price: $9.98
Buy Used: $0.15
You Save: $9.83 (98%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  211 reviews
Sales Rank: 32792
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Subtitled, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 102
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: 024543096962
UPC: 024543096962
EAN: 0024543096962
ASIN: B0000AL9ZN
Theatrical Release Date: May 16, 2003
Release Date: October 7, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Guaranteed to play. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.
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Amazon.com
The bright, glossy world of Doris Day and Rock Hudson sex comedies gets a self-aware brush-up in Down with Love. Pillow-lipped Renee Zellweger (Chicago) plays Barbara Novak, the author of a bestselling book called Down with Love that advises women to focus on their careers and have sex a la carte--just like a man would. Determined to prove that Novak is just as vulnerable to love as any woman, dashingly chauvinist magazine writer Catcher Block (ever-charming Ewan McGregor, Moulin Rouge) pretends to be a courtly astronaut who wouldn't dream of putting his hand on a woman's knee. This piffle of a story seems like nothing more than an excuse for ironic double-entendres and dazzling production design, until a sneaky plot twist suddenly raises the stakes for the movie's end. As he always does, the brilliant David Hyde Pierce (Frasier) scores the most comic points as Block's fussy editor. --Bret Fetzer
Product Description
In 1960s New York, a feminist writer catches the eye of a dashing playboy in this homage to the films of Rock Hudson and Doris Day.
Genre: Feature Film-Comedy
Rating: PG
Release Date: 9-JAN-2007
Media Type: DVD
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| Customer Reviews: Read 206 more reviews...
 Downright Giddy Fun November 11, 2008
When my sister, a Doris Day movie addict, told me I had to watch this with her, I didn't expect much. Once you've seen a Doris Day film, you've seen them all; couple this with the fact that I'm not a chick-flick kind of gal, and it's not surprising that I figured this was going to be a movie I would politely watch and then promptly forget.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
The world is a happy-go-lucky '60s joyride. Everything is a bright and colorful shade of "optimistic," from the characters to the sets to the outfits to the very plot itself. The comedy is refreshingly direct, clever, and sharp. Renee Zellweger pulls off the most perfect Doris Day impersonation I've ever seen -- down to the walk, the face, the mannerisms, and the tone of voice. Ewan McGregor is not a very good Rock Hudson (he's too skinny and not very manly), but he's a serviceable love interest and, to my shock, he's actually a good actor. (After the sucky Star Wars prequels and The Island, I didn't have any expectations for him at all. It was a pleasant surprise.)
The humor is fabulous. It plays off of the common tropes in Doris Day films and laughs at sexism (without being preachy -- a feat in itself). It has its basic Doris Day-esque character types -- characters who are downright adorable and hilarious in and of themselves. The script is quick-witted and is delivered excellently by all actors involved. The result is a story that never lags and laughs that never stop.
The story is your standard romantic fare; again, if you've seen Doris Day, you know how things will turn out. You won't see the giant plot twist, however. I know I didn't. I sat there with my mouth hanging open.
I think the best part of this movie is its self-knowledge. It's not trying to be better than the Doris Day films of yesteryear. It's trying to satirize it, pay homage to it, and update it for a new generation, all at the same time. It succeeds in a fantastic way and never falls flat. The only thing I didn't like was the escalated sexual innuendo, but that's more up to taste. Frankly, the way they worked the innuendo in, I didn't know whether to be shocked or amazed at how cleverly they did it (as awful as that sounds!).
You know, after watching tons of poor and mediocre movies, this one was a welcome watch. It was even more of a welcome experience after the depressing recent events of this year -- it's a pure intravenous shot of happiness.
At least watch this movie once -- especially if you're a Doris Day aficionado or love romantic comedy. You'll find this a wonderful diversion.
Brilliant comedy September 28, 2008
This amazingly intelligent send-up of the Doris Day/Rock Hudson flicks is such a refreshing change from the mindless Hollywood romantic comedies of recent past. I would recommend that before viewing, you see at least one of the DD/RH hits (Pillow Talk would probably be best if you only have time for one). Then the sheer genius of this work will really shine through. This is one of the few films that I can watch over and over again without ever growing tired or bored of it. The rapid-fire witty lines never fail to make me laugh out loud. And the talent-- it reminds me of the Fred Astaire generation when actors could sing, dance and act! So rare in our times. An absolute gem!
 entirely forgettable July 18, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
This piece of fluff was so forgettable that my wife and I were about half an hour into it before we realized we'd actually seen it before.
I'm giving it two stars because there were a couple of moments of witty, well-written dialogue, because the retro-early sixties fashions were mildly amusing and because David Hyde Pierce gives a funny performance. I also liked the faux-Gershwin music.
Apart from that, not much to object to or admire either. The leads don't have much chemistry and McGregor especially seems very out of his element like a callow, immature version of Sean Connery.
This is apparently an "omage" to the Rock Hudson-Doris Day movies of the early sixties. Those weren't much good either so it's not surprising that this attempt to reproduce them also fails to make much of an impression.
 Stupid July 6, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Doris Day and Rock Hudson movies were no good the first time, with their split screen phone conversations and crossed wires. They never rose above a bad TV sitcom. So why would Hollywood producers do another one--not a spoof but a straight copy? Are there really no good new stripts available?
Renee Zellweger is a good actress and has done some good light comedy, as in "Nurse Betty." She's also done drama and musicals. Why she'd allow her talents to be wasted in a film like this is beyond me.
I watched as much of it as I could, hoping it would amount to something. It never did.
hilarious June 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Totally hilarious and creative. I'm not a Rene Zelwegger fan (I am a big Ewan fan), but this was a great movie. Awesome ensemble cast. Very fun visually, very snappy dialogue. Definitely one you'll enjoy watching over again.
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