Down with Love

Lampooning those Doris Day romcoms with Renée Zellweger and Ewan McGregor

In 1962, a lovely Maine author of a progressive female advice tome (Renée Zellweger) travels to New York City to publish her book whereupon an infamous playboy journalist (Ewan McGregor) strategizes to prove that she’s really just an Old Fashioned woman at heart. Sarah Paulson and David Hyde Pierce play the respective best friends while Tony Randall has a bit part.

“Down With Love” (2003) is a satire of those Doris Day romcoms of the late 50s / early 60s that typically revolved around a battle of the sexes. While I’ve never seen any of those movies this is an amusing & cute spoof that pokes fun at ’em.

Renée is adorable and McGregor rises to the challenge in an atypical role. The inclusion of Jeri Ryan & Melissa George on the feminine front is a plus. Unfortunately, the flick’s a tad too long for such fluff; 12-15 minutes shoulda been shaved off to give it more drive, but that’s just me.

The film runs 1 hour, 41 minutes, and was shot at Universal Studios, Universal City, and Hollywood Center Studios, Hollywood, California.

GRADE: B-