Review of Love & Other Drugs (2010) by Lopez17 — 06 Feb 2011

Edward Zwick's "Love & Other Drugs" is typical rom-com flare seriously upgraded thanks to a surprisingly adult outlook when it comes to romance instead of using the typical romantic comedy stereotypes such as the bicker till they kiss romance plot line seen in " The Ugly Truth", "You've Got Mail", "Life as we know it". It does not sink to the conventional needs to tell a compelling and surprisingly fast paced love story about two people who do not want to get tied down by commitment. This films explores something that has become a very hot topic in romantic films as of lately they explore the aspect of a relationship without the relationship part no strings attached, no feelings just good sex and just sex but as anyone who has ever loved someone you know that you cannot keep it simple because eve if you keep the relationship just about sex sooner or later one or both involved is going to start forming some kind of attachment to the other person involved in this illicit act. The one thing that helped this film from sinking from above average romantic dramedy to sex comedy is the fine screenplay by Edward Zwick, Charles Randolph and Marshall Herskovitz they don't condescend or play off some of the more overly sentimental in the audience they wisely choose to have the film start out simple and gradually find its dramatic footing as you get in deeper into this films romantic story of fast talking, smooth operator Jamie Randall(Jake Gyllenhaal) and his no strings attached romance with free spirited sexually uninhibited Maggie Murdock(Anne Hathaway). When you first meet Jamie he works at a electronics store and it seems that Jamie is very good at what he does he has the charm to get anyone he comes into contact with in the store to not leave empty handed and he has the looks and the sex appeal to get any women he wants no matter who they are. Everything seems to be good for Jamie that is until he gets offered a job as a pharmaceutical representative for Pfizer pharmaceuticals. from then on everything changes for Jamie in the best and worst possible way he finds his main purpose in life as a slick pharmaceutical salesman he also finds that he now has an endless list of women that he can sack and leave behind if he chooses so. That is until he meets Maggie who isn't looking for anything serious Jamie thinks he isn't looking for anything serious either but deep down inside everyone even players like Jamie Randall sooner or later have to admit that when it comes to love there is no easy way, there is no keeping it simple because when it comes to love it is not simple or easy but there are those rare instances that it is definitely worth the trouble that it can bring with it .

"Love and Other Drugs" is one of the sharpest , one of the most intelligent and possible one of the sexiest romantic dramedies I have ever seen. This is a quick witted fast paced film in its first half as you watch young Jamie skyrocket up the working ladder from electronic salesman to pharmaceutical salesman making a killing in the sales world and in the sack (which is not bad by male standards). But deep inside you know that Jamie is a hopeless romantic at heart even though he tries to keep it simple with Maggie he can not help himself by falling in love with her it is the way of life. You can not avoid love no matter how hard you try because when you least expect it love happens. "Love and Other Drugs" is the intelligent moviegoers romantic film, a film that does not condescend or play games with you it is straightforward with the audience even when its characters are not with each other, this is a fine example of how a true romantic film should be made(writers in Hollywood take note) "Love and Other Drugs" is a fine film and one of the years best romantic dramedies. I enjoyed this nice little surprise of a film immensely and I will be truthful with you I have never had this much fun watching a romantic film since I saw "Last Chance Harvey"(and that wasn't to long ago either) this truly a great picture and a true testament that love can never uncomplicated but if you ignore it the more complicated it can become, sometimes you just have to give into the feelings and try to make the best out of everyday of your life even if it won't always be easy.