Love and Other Drugs

Love and Other Drugs (2010)
Directed by Edward Zwick
Length: 112 minutes
Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, pervasive language, and some drug material






Beautiful actors in a torrid romantic comedy that does a nice job of mixing laughs, sentiment, tears, and sex? Sounds like a nice date movie (for the couples capable of handling LOTS of said sex and sultry scenes). The latest rom-com to hit the theaters stars hunky blue eyed Jake Gyllenhaal (Source Code, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time) as Jamie Randall, a smooth-talking pharmaceutical sales rep capable of wooing any woman. The girl who soon becomes the object of his affection? Maggie Murdock, played by the charming Anne Hathaway (One Day, Alice in Wonderland), a free-spirited artist who has been diagnosed with stage-one Parkinson's disease. Maggie tries to stay detached from others because of her disease, but romance ensues along with all the other traditional elements of the romantic comedy genre.

While the film doesn't really do anything new, it is a fun film overall. Hathaway is quickly challenging Kate Winslet for the actress most often seen naked. Nudity aside, the romantic scenes between the two actors feel quite intense and passionate. There are several moments where you'll wonder if the performance is really faked or a much deeper connection beyond the characters. Both Gyllenhaal and Hathaway perform their roles well and seem like a good onscreen pair.

The comedic elements found in Love and Other Drugs are quite humorous, although they rely heavily on one trick. Being a movie about a pharmaceutical rep that sales Viagra, you can imagine there are several dick jokes. While funny, after a while you know what's coming (no pun intended). If you needed a basis for comparison, the film is reminiscent of Jerry Maguire for its ability to mix comedy and romance with a modern flair. However, Love and Other Drugs fails to really nail the iconic "You complete me" moment. The big, romantic monologue that you know is coming falls a bit short of expectations.

Additionally, the film seems unsure of just what direction it wants to go. At times it seems destined for more grandiose themes like problems with the health care industry, pharmaceutical sales, or societal views on debilitating diseases. However, the film never really scratches beyond the surface. Minus this mishmash of too many ideas into one story, the film proves to be a fun experience for both guy and girl. With great eye candy, laugh-out-loud moments, and several steamy romance scenes, Love and Other Drugs is a great date night idea for those couples looking to compromise on a film.

Final Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote:
Josh Randall: "Do you think dad is that big?"