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Down With Love

Play trailer 2:00 Poster for Down With Love PG-13 Released May 16, 2003 1h 34m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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60% Tomatometer 176 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
It's 1962, and feminist Barbara Novak (Renée Zellweger) pens a best-selling book that details the drawbacks of love. She encourages women to forgo serious relationships with men in favor of independence, workplace achievements and satisfying sex. Despite her success, many men are taken aback by her progressive views, including slick writer Catcher Block (Ewan McGregor), who decides to expose Barbara as a fraud by making her fall in love with him. However, his plan has unexpected consequences.
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Down With Love

Down With Love

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Critics Consensus

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

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Critics Reviews

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Simran Hans New Statesman It left me so giddy I watched it twice. May 20, 2020 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Hilarious spoof on '60s comedies for mature 14+. Rated: 4/5 Dec 22, 2010 Full Review Empire Magazine Rated: 3/5 Nov 2, 2003 Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com The performances lacked focus. Rated: 2.5/4.0 Sep 6, 2020 Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Absolutely to-die-for vintage-style and couture frocks. Hey, what can I say? You've can't help but be up for Down With Love! Nov 7, 2019 Full Review Joel Siegel Good Morning America This purports to be a modern version of the Doris Day-Rock Hudson Pillow Talk comedies but ends up being a big snore. Rated: C- Jan 4, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Judi L Agree with other comment that said Zellweger and McGregor had zero chemistry…in fact, his attraction at that stage of his career is questionable. And, irony was not lost as Sarah Paulson and David Hyde-Pierce play lovers and even at one point, she calls him a homosexual…interesting! The costumes and sets were absolutely fantastic and, for that alone, don’t miss this movie 🎥 Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/18/25 Full Review Karen F So cute! Must see I don’t know why I never heard of this film before 2025 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/09/25 Full Review Shioka O Worth watching for the nostalgic 60s design. Casting is not perfect though... Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/02/25 Full Review helder f This movie has a great cast. Ewan McGregor didn’t seem the best choice for his role, but overall the movie has a great cast. The cinematography is visually stunning, capturing the beauty of the setting. The story just doesn’t hit the mark. In great part, because the story is made of actions that are done and then undone. The movie doesn’t really go anywhere. When we believe the movie is headed in a particular direction, something occurs to reveal that it’s not truly meant to go anywhere. It’s fine if this movie is supposed to be a parody of old movies, but it doesn’t work very well. It’s a waste of talent - and frankly a bit of waste of time. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/02/25 Full Review Rare T I saw this movie years back, and even though I’d forgotten most of it, it never left my mind as having left a positive impression. Upon the second watch, I can acknowledge that it even surpassed my expectations. Down With Love is well-written from start to finish; the plot, the dialogue, the quips, the numbers, the wittiness, the scrupulousness… It all blends together with magnificent cinematography and amazing performances that are reminiscent of a Doris Day, Rock Hudson, and Tony Randall movie. Renée Zellweger could very much compare to Doris Day, while Ewan McGregor’s character acts just like a Rock Hudson character would. David Hyde Pierce was the perfect choice for the quirky sidekick, like Tony Randall back in the days, and above all we get a cameo from Randall himself. This rom-com set in the 60s is as good as rom-coms were back in that era. Forget La La Land and Barbie, this one here tops both of them combined. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/10/24 Full Review Farhan I This movie is so amazing and entrancing! I cannot stop thinking about it since the first time I watched it. I am so obsessed. This movie is way better than Barbie (2023) and it deserves a resurgence of attention! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/23/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Down With Love

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Cast & Crew

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Peyton Reed

Director

Renée Zellweger

Barbara Novak

Ewan McGregor

Catcher Block

Sarah Paulson

Vikki Hiller

David Hyde Pierce

Peter McMannus

Rachel Dratch

Gladys

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Down With Love

Down With Love: Trailer 1 Down With Love: Trailer 1 2:00 View more videos
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Down With Love

840R Catcher Block (Ewan McGregor, right) outlines his plans for the romantic conquest of best-selling author Barbara Novak, to his best friend and boss Peter McMannus (David Hyde Pierce). Publishing magnate Theodore Banner (Tony Randall) is flanked by "Down with Love": author Barbara Novak (Zellweger) and editor Vikki Hiller (Sarah Paulson). EWAN McGREGOR and RENÉE ZELLWEGER star in DOWN WITH LOVE, an old-fashioned romantic comedy with a twist. Lovesick and neurotic Peter McMannus (David Hyde Pierce) is tongue-tied when he meets up with the object of his affections, Vikki Hiller (Sarah Paulson). Author Barbara Novak (Renée Zellweger) arrives in the Big Apple, little suspecting that fame and romance await her. Against a striking 120-degree panoramic view from her deluxe New York apartment, Barbara (Renée Zellweger) revels in her newfound success. Barbara Novak (Renée Zellweger) is astounded by the success of her new book "Down with Love." Vikki (Sarah Paulson, left) and Barbara (Renée Zellweger) make "fashion show" entrances at an elegant supper club. EWAN McGREGOR and RENÉE ZELLWEGER star in DOWN WITH LOVE, the story of a spark-filled collision between a woman who has sworn off love and a ladies' man who thinks he doesn't need love. Sarah Paulsen, left, and Renée Zellweger react to the artwork for the latter's new pre-feminist manifesto, "Down with Love." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis It's 1962, and feminist Barbara Novak (Renée Zellweger) pens a best-selling book that details the drawbacks of love. She encourages women to forgo serious relationships with men in favor of independence, workplace achievements and satisfying sex. Despite her success, many men are taken aback by her progressive views, including slick writer Catcher Block (Ewan McGregor), who decides to expose Barbara as a fraud by making her fall in love with him. However, his plan has unexpected consequences.
Director
Peyton Reed
Producer
Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks
Screenwriter
Eve Ahlert, Dennis Drake
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
20th Century Fox
Rating
PG-13 (Sexual Humor|Sexual Dialogue)
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 16, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$20.3M
Runtime
1h 34m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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