Rating: 
Summary: One of my favorite films of 2003!
Review: I cannot say just how much I enjoyed this movie in the theater, and now that it's out on DVD, I'm ecstatic! I went to 3 stores before I found one that actually sold the DVD instead of just renting it, but I'm glad I did.I think this film is grossly misunderstood and underappreciated. Peyton Reed has done a wonderful job in recreating the fun, silly, romantic sex-comedies of the 1960s. Everything from the sets, the costumes, the music score, the dialogue, the wide angle shots, and the stock footage -- which borrows from "That Touch of Mink", by the way -- are perfectly applied to this modern homage. Ewan and Renee give delightful performances that don't attempt to imitate the chemistry created by Rock and Doris, not that they could. That's a pretty tall order to fill. Instead, they create their own chemistry, and they do so wonderfully. David Hyde Pierce and Sarah Paulson pull some hilarious, showstopping scenes out of their hats as well. My favorite is the "fight" in front of the elevator. The People's Eyebrow couldn't compete with the look that David delivers. No one's kidding when they call this man a comic genius. There's some delightful treats in the shape of Tony Randall, too-naughty-for-1962 split-screen phone conversations, and a variety show song & dance number with a funny cameo by Marc Shaiman. The DVD has a fantastic blooper reel, plus behind the re-creation of 1962 shorts. Not to be oversimplified, the attention to detail does not end with the glossy gowns. In this film, we get a social snapshot of our film psyche with references to the space race, dacron vs. garters, cultural stereotypes of foreign countries, the Hollywood version of beatnicks, and feminism before the Women's Movement. I've heard some critics complain that the film would have worked better as a musical or it's full of simplistic double entendres and plotlines. Hello! Welcome to the '60s! Take a look back at some of those classic films and you'll see the exact same characteristics and "faults". Plus, a lot these complaints can be attributed to many of the vapid, nonsensical romantic comedies made today as well. What's great about "Down With Love" is that it's not only an homage to those classic films of yesteryear, but it delivers a final presentation that could easily have been lost in a time capsule for 40 years and resurfaced today. The only thing that pulls it closer to 2003 than 1962 is the frank conversations about casual sex, which just lends credence to the idea as to why it could've been shelved 40 years ago. It's not that you wouldn't have heard those conversations back then, they just wouldn't have made it to the silver screen. I hope more people give this film a chance. People who will choose to sit back and enjoy the movie for what it is -- a delightful, comedic film with a kiss of history that makes us laugh at ourselves. If you do rent the DVD, you can see in the HBO special that the cast and crew had just as much fun making the film as you will watching it.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Rock Hudson but...
Review: This is a cute movie. Renee Zellweger moves with perfect comedic timing. Having been around in the 60's I see her as a combination of Marilyn Monroe(Some Like it Hot), Barbara Eden(I dream of Jeannie), and almost Doris Day. Almost, because no one, but no one can do Doris Day as Doris Day did Doris Day. But the style is very much like the romantic comedies of the sixties and the movie is set in the sixties as well. The problem is, of course, that Rock Hudson and James Garner are missing. But we do get Tony Randall back looking much less like Tony Randall. However, the guy from Frazier plays Tony almost as well as Tony played Tony in the sixties. It is not enough because Ewan Macgregor lacks the chemistry necessary to create the sparks we saw fly in the oldies but goodies. Despite that miscasting the movie is worth watching. If you weren't around in the 60's now you can see what your parents or grandparents thought worth leaving the T.V. set and getting out to a movie. Better yet, rent Pillow Talk, Send Me No Flowers, or Move Over Darling....
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Production - Acceptable Acting
Review: Let's begin with the strengths of this picture. The creators took great pains to recreate the look and feel of the films of the late '50s and early '60s. They were absolutely successful and should be commended. The biggest challenge faced in producing this type of period piece is recreating not only the look and feel of the period, which many of us still remember, but also recreating the look and feel of the movies of the time. If you only buy the movie for this reason, you will not be disappointed. As for the rest of the movie, it's acceptable but not outstanding. David Hyde Pierce is phenomenal in his supporting role (generally played by Tony Randall in the old Rock Hudson and Doris Day pictures). The split screen (think Pillow Talk) sequences lose something in this updated version and probably would have been better without the too obvious sexual references. Given all this, "Down With Love" is still worth watching as long as you are a fan of the older movies. Give it a chance and you may be pleasantly surprised.
Rating:
Summary: Chemistry Where Are You?
Review: Unfortunately, the chemistry between the two stars has gone missing. I can think of many male actors who would have sizzled in this role but Ewan is not one of them. Renee does a wonderful job and so does David Hyde Pierce. Too bad the directors didn't spend some more money and get George Clooney, it is a role right up his alley.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Idea
Review: DOWN WITH LOVE is a unique film to say the least. It certainly has style. However, the style of this film is something you can get along with or dislike with a passion. I liked this film and all the nostalgia it can throughs in your face. The production design was perfect in every detail making it a great visual treat. That is the film's strength not to mention its score and period songs. I enjoyed this film. It brought back many memories.
Rating:
Summary: A Tribute to the Doris Day-Rock Hudson Comedies
Review: Small town farm girl Barbara Novak (Renée Zellweger) writes a best-selling book called "Down with Love" instructing women how to find the same satisfaction in sex and work as men. Catcher Block (Ewan MacGregor) -- ladies' man, man's man , man about town -- sets out to expose her by making her fall in love with him. But things go awry as he begins to have feelings for her in this tribute to the 1960's sex comedies of Doris Day and Rock Hudson. It's full of wonderful performances by Zellweger and MacGregor, but the supporting cast steals the show. David Hyde Pierce is Peter Macmannus, Catcher's boss at "Know" the magazine for men in the now; Sarah Paulson plays Vikki Hiller, the editor-in-chief at Banner Publications. The banter and sexual tension/frustration the two of them share on-screen is hysterical. The film is also filled with fabulous fashions and hairstyles reminiscent of those romantic comedies. The film's creators kept the spirit of those films alive in costume, set design, music, film technique and a script full of sexual innuendo. The phone conversation between Cathcer and Barbara --using split screen -- is one of the funniest scenes I've seen to date. (And, you must watch the credits for a song by Barbara Novak and Cather Block!) The DVD picture and sound quality are great. Plus, the many extras -- including deleted scenes, a blooper reel, hair and wardrobe tests, documentaries, and a music video -- make this a great DVD to watch.
Rating:
Summary: I liked it
Review: It's pretty much your typical romantic comedy, but depending on your movie taste, you might enjoy that. In the credits, Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor sing a song together. The video for the song is included in the DVD. It's one of my favorite parts of the movie. The movie has some dirty parts, and they're hilarious. Overall, it's a really cute movie.
Rating:
Summary: Not supposed to be Rock and Doris!
Review: Let's clear up one thing about this film--Ewan and Renee aren't SUPPOSED to be Rock and Doris--people are waaaay too hung up on that. Ewan (if you've seen him in Moulin Rouge you know darn well he could have played Catcher more like Christian) was told to work out and get skinnier. He's playing more of a hip slickster/Rat Pack-y character in this; he, the director and producers have said he's NOT supposed to be Rock. And Renee is not playing Doris, they needed an actress who could be devious yet retain the sympathy of the audience. Instead of knocking this film because Ewan and Renee aren't Rock and Doris, you'd think people would be glad for a change the leads aren't playing themselves. They actually have talent and are creating a character---imagine that---real acting in a romantic comedy.
Rating:
Summary: Not Original, But Not Trying to Be
Review: Set in 1962, it is about Barbara Novak, a woman who wrote a book called Down With Love, teaching women not to love, but to think of sex the way a man does. Playboy columnist Catcher Block decides to write an expose that would ruin Barbara, and incidently liven up his sex life again. So he poses as Zip Martin, an astronaut from a small town.
This movie borrows a lot from Rock Hudson/Doris Day movies (Pillow talk, Come Back Lover), but it is meant to.
This is a cute movie, enjoyable to those who like that corny, classic 60s style.
Rating:
Summary: Great Concept, Looks Wonderful - but poorly cast
Review: I gave this three stars because they did such a great job evoking the perky sex comedies of the sixties with the sets, costumes, music and editing - this a great piece of retro eye candy! The real problem - which the film cannot overcome -- is the casting. David Hyde Pierce shines in the Tony Randall-type role and Jerri Ryan does a great swinging 60's stewardess, but the rest of the cast is just wrong. Zellweger is either all cartoonish or all breathy monotone and never really conveys that really CUTE "I believe in this character no matter how silly" innocense that made Doris Day, Sandra Dee and Natalie Wood so charming in these roles. McGregor is a fine actor who can be as rico-suave as the best of them, but he's just too lanky and angular. You just don't quite believe him in this role. Sarah Paulson as Zellweger's sidekick has the look - but she seems too soft somehow. The whole time I was watching I kept thinking how much funnier and sweeter it would have felt with actors like Jennifer Anniston, John Cusack and Parker Posey. What's good here is really wonderful, but it becomes a frustrating letdown. Instead of being a tribute to those great sunday-afternoon-sixties-flicks, it feels like a really expensive skit on Saturday Night Live or some such program.
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