Review of Down with Love (2003) by Michael Y — 24 May 2011

An homage to the rom-coms of the '60s, Down with Love is a battle of the sexes, silly movie with cartoonish acting and an overblown portrayal of sexism. But that's what makes this movie so fun.

Renee Zellweger stars as Barbra Novak, a feminist trying to publish her book "Down with Love" that's about the woman's path to success by not falling in love. To prove and exploit Barbra as a hypocrite, Catcher Block, a rich, womanizing journalist, disguises himself to try and get Barbra to fall in love with him. I think as a regular romantic comedy, this movie would really stink. But what really gives this movie it's value is that it is written like an old '60s rom-com. It's campy story in a cartoonish setting is exactly what makes this movie so appealing. You don't have to treat this movie so seriously. Just sit back and let the good times role into retroville. But it's not like this movie is badly written with camp value, this movie is FULL of funny sex jokes, jokes about sexism and just good old silly camp, which by the way is loveably played by Zellweger and Ewan McGregor, but I love David Hyde Pierce's performance the best as Block's nervous friend trying to pick up Barbra's friend.

To fulfill the retro look, the filmmaking in this movie is just full of campy style. This movie uses all the classic tricks in the book. The wind blowing through the hair, the greenscreen montage through downtown, the girl going away through a dark street while raining. All those classic little details that seemed appropriate in older movies are used to their silliest in this movie. But the best effect is the split screen, which is used often in this movie, but perfected in one spicy scene which I won't spoil, but it's pretty funny. The cinematography is light and fully lit in a very nice looking retro setting where everyone wears classic, eye poping dresses and suits.

Down with Love is a pretty annoying rom-com, but it's one that doesn't aim for perfection. The comedy is pretty funny and it really does remind you of a bad '60s rom-com. And that's good enough to say that this movie ain't half bad.