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Down with Love (2003)

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Average Rating: 6.1/10
Reviews Counted: 168
Fresh: 101 | Rotten: 67

Looks great, but Zellweger and McGregor have no chemistry together, and the self-satisfied, knowing tone grates.

Average Rating: 5.5/10
Critic Reviews: 39
Fresh: 18 | Rotten: 21

Looks great, but Zellweger and McGregor have no chemistry together, and the self-satisfied, knowing tone grates.

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Average Rating: 3/5
User Ratings: 72,895

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Movie Info

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 (Ren�e 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

PG-13, 1 hr. 34 min.

Drama, Romance, Comedy

Directed By: Peyton Reed

Written By: Dennis Drake, Eve Ahlert

In Theaters: May 16, 2003 Wide

On DVD: Oct 7, 2003

Box Office:$20.2M

20th Century Fox

I think it compares favorably with Pillow Talk and Lover Come Back in its well-timed gags and verbal dexterity.

May 23, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Observer

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Andrew Sarris

New York Observer

Top Critic

After 10 minutes of getting poked in the ribs with every shot, I thought, 'Is it going to be like this for 90 minutes?'

May 23, 2003 Full Review Source: Slate

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David Edelstein

Slate

Top Critic

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.

May 21, 2003 Full Review Source: TIME Magazine

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Richard Corliss

TIME Magazine

Top Critic

I love this film.

May 19, 2003 Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper

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Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

Top Critic

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?

May 17, 2003 Full Review Source: Salon.com

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Stephanie Zacharek

Salon.com

Top Critic

It's a cute premise, and several co-stars help keep the fun going for a while.

May 16, 2003 Full Review Source: USA Today

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Claudia Puig

USA Today

Top Critic

Hilarious spoof on '60s comedies for mature 14+.

December 22, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Director Peyton Reed keeps this fizzy comedy in an alluringly goofy tizzy from start to finish. This is undoubtedly the skillful battle-of-the-sexes laugher Rock Hudson and Doris Day would have made were they able to naughtily quip about bitches and hose.

September 25, 2010 Full Review Source: Suite101.com

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Nick Rogers

Suite101.com

While the movie definitely has tongue lodged firmly in its postmodern cheek, every detail looks and feels authentic.

January 9, 2010 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com

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Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Zellweger and McGregor have only their dimpled cuteness to get them through this movie, which you sense, at least from their mugging, that they believe is enough. It isn't.

August 5, 2007 Full Review Source: Bangor Daily News (Maine)

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Christopher Smith

Bangor Daily News (Maine)

... as light, cheap, and ultimately as insubstantial as cotton candy. And yet, it inadvertently strikes some resonant chords.

December 6, 2004 Comment

Jeffrey Overstreet

Looking Closer

As it is, 'Down With Love' seems forced, with the principals looking like youngsters dressing up and over-acting to impersonate grown-ups.

October 14, 2004 Full Review | Comment

Steve Crum

Kansas City Kansan Source: Kansas City Kansan

Bright and very funny... manages to recreate a filmmaking style that was practically a parody of itself in the first place.

July 6, 2004 Full Review Source: F5 (Wichita, KS)

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Jake Euker

F5 (Wichita, KS) Source: F5 (Wichita, KS)

the multiple making-of bonus features on this DVD (wit vignettes on costumes, music, and even the use of split-screen) are genuinely entertaining in their own right...

April 25, 2004 Full Review Source: SPLICEDWire

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Rob Blackwelder

SPLICEDWire

All artifice, so little art. Does this film have anything new to offer? If not, why bother?

March 7, 2004 Full Review Source: Cinemania

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Dan Jardine

Cinemania

Como esfor�o saudosista em recriar as ing�nuas com�dias rom�nticas dos anos 60, o filme � bem-sucedido - mas n�o se destaca muito em seus outros aspectos.

March 1, 2004 Comment

Pablo Villaca

Cinema em Cena

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Audience Reviews for Down with Love

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Oh my god Renee was so obnoxious my respect for her plummeted to Nathaniel Rogers levels. The one redeeming quality of this film was Ewan McGregor. He was seriously sexy.

April 28, 2011