Down with Love

In 1963, New York was the place to be and lady's man, man's man, man about town Catcher Block (McGregor) was the best reporter in town. New England writer Barbara Novak (Zellweger) was just about to launch her book that would completely change Catcher's and every other man's world. Her feminist guide to sex over romance was becoming an instant best seller, so Catcher comes up with a plan to make Miss Novak fall in love with him, exposing her 'Down with Love' novel a complete sham.

Playing homage to the sex comedies of the 1960s starring Doris Day and Rock Hudson, Down with Love is a romantic comedy from the old school.

Full of innuendos, idealism and very liberal attitudes to sex, the movie captures the feel and look of the sixties superbly. Everything is lovingly recreated from the completely obvious stages, to the painted scenery, to the projected backgrounds during car rides or travel sequences and it all completes the look and feel of those popular comedies of that swinging age. A lot of credit has to go to director Peyton Reed and his crew, who must have had a real passion for the genre to capture everything in as much detail.

While Ewan McGregor and Renée Zellweger might not have the same star quality as their illustrious counterparts, the two still have great screen chemistry. McGregor takes to the role of lady's man Catcher Block with his usual passion, exuding charm and charisma towards every woman he meets. Zellweger plays Barbara Novak with a confidence and a good sense of comic timing. She captures the feeling of women in that decade as they emerged from the downtrodden 50s into a more equality filled 1960s.

Support is good from Sarah Paulson as Barbara's best friend and editor Vikki Hiller and while really just recreating his Frasier character Niles Crane in the 1960s, David Hyde Pierce is always very watchable and highly amusing.

Fans who remember the Day/Hudson comedies should really enjoy this. While story might be slight but with a few good twists and turns near the end, Down with Love is good fun and a welcome change from the normal, run of the mill rom-com.

Audio commentary from director Peyton Reed
Deleted scenes
Blooper reel
'HBO Special' featurette
'Down With Love Testimonial' featurette
'Guess my Name'' featurette with celebrity mystery guest Barbara Novak!
'On Location With Down With Love' documentary
'The Costumes Of Down With Love' documentary
'The Swingin’ Sounds Of Down With Love' documentary
'Down With Love, Up With Tony Randall' documentary
'Down With Love – Split Decisions' documentary
Hair and wardrobe tests
'Here's To Love' music video
Music promo spot
Interactive menu & Scene access

The Usher Home | Hush, Hush... | The Big Story | The Usher Speaks

Stuck @ Home | Coming Soon | Links | Contact the Usher

2003