Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-25 04:08:14

Would have been better as a drama

Love & Other Drugs started out as something like a romantic comedy. That was fine with me. Then, with Gyllenhaal and Hathaway becoming "sex buddies", the movie almost became a soft-core porn with all of the frontal nudity for Hathaway and rear nudity for Gyllenhaal. Then with another twist, the movie ended as a drama. I actually liked the dram spin at the end, and would have preferred that the whole movie start in this way. I would have also liked to seen it be more, like it started, as a comedy. But mixing them up like this was just a bit too confusing. Both of the main actors are excellent and believable in their characters. It just seems that the director changed course somewhere in the middle of filming.

jacobson98 2012-05-24 09:48:14

Soft-Core Porn

This is a terrible film with a total lack of focus. It's all over theplace - seems to randomly throw out issues and plots without anyconvergence whatsoever. The shame is that it has a terrific and verytalented cast, it looks great and is occasionally funny. Alas, it'splotted like a soft-core porn film, lots of nudity and humping with noindication of what it has to do with the film. Somewhere in this messis a good film trying to emerge. Perhaps, this movie should be a filmschool problem -- what went wrong here and how can it be fixed. There'slots of pretty people here that look good nude and the usual funny fatguy who doesn't and after watching this picture you're left withabsolutely nothing -- it doesn't register. What a shame.

2012-05-23 23:23:45

3.5* - Falls somewhere in between comedy and drama

My husband picked this movie out because I requested a romantic comedy and apparently this movie was touted as one. Anyway, midway through, it became pretty clear this was no romantic comedy. Don't get me wrong, there are some laughs in here, especially at the beginning when Jamie, the character played by Jake Gyllenhaal shows off his consummate sales skills, and the consequences of his womanizing ways. This guy beds them and leaves them without so much as a thought, but things change when Jamie becomes a sales rep for Pfizer, trying to push Zoloft on doctors.Here, Jamie meets Maggie (Anne Hathaway in a gripping performance) - she suffers from early onset Parkinsons despite being only 26 years old, and though they get off to a rocky start, the pair eventually begin seeing each other, mainly on a casual, strictly sex-only relationship. But, life gets more complicated as Jamie begins to develop deeper feelings for Maggie, and the bulk of the movie explores this complicated, multi-faceted relationship. The core of the story boils down to whether Maggie is prepared to allow Jamie into all aspects of her life, and thus leave herself vulnerable to the very real threat that he may walk out when he realizes the complications that come with Maggie's condition.I felt the sexual chemistry between the two leads was credible and the sex scenes were tasteful and well done. Both actors appeared totally comfortable in their own skins, and viewers get to see plenty of Gyllenhaal and Hathaway in the buff - sex is an integral part of this movie, and not just between the two leads. Viewers also get to see a pajama party in full swing, numerous sexual encounters between the various characters, but it is all part of the story, especially given that Jamie eventually proves his sales skills by peddling Viagra and being very successful at it.It is the two lead performances that kept me engaged and I felt it was a decent effort. Though I would not characterize these roles as the actors' career best, the roles seemed more well-defined through their performances. I also loved one of the songs on the soundtrack, i.e. Billy Bragg's Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key, which I had never heard before and am glad to have discovered through this movie.

smith39-908-732946 2012-05-23 09:42:50

thoughts about several of the films themes, sexuality, male roles, health care

Today I saw a film, Love and Other Drugs, in which Jake Gyllenhaal andAnne Hathaway have several high energy sexual encounters. Oneparticular depiction (?) of a mutual orgasm was so beautiful that manymembers of the audience may have vividly recollected this state. It wassexual connection based on both characters knowing they loved eachother. The film displayed a peak erotic and spiritual connection. Forsome theater goers it may have seemed too much, but I don't thinkanyone would have thought a similar personal experience was "too much".The film had many cinematic forebearers, stories of lovers whosepartners are ill and one or both struggle with leaving or staying. Mostof the plot turns at this level of analysis were better than most ofthe progenitors. A chance encounter with a man who did stay with hispartner and had to watch her become immobile and unable to communicate,allows Gyllenhaal's character to see the future. This vision moves himout of the moment in the relationship and results in a separation thathe is both regretful of and relieved by. This is one example of how thefilm makes the couple's dilemma real to the audience. Even someone whois less confused that Gyllenhaal's character about commitment wouldhave great difficulties with this challenge.There is a strong subplot that looks at male sexuality as it isprescribed for men in modern culture. The chance to have unconnectedsex with numerous women is presented as the main character's onecertain accomplishment and the envy of other men. On one occasion hisyounger brother actually achieves this status. The younger brother isable to recognize that it isn't what he wants or enjoys. As he sharesthis insight with Gyllenhaal's character, a piece of a developingunderstanding occurs within him. His vulnerability is uncovered by hispartner, Anne Hathaway's, Maggie, who assists him in recognizing hisvalue as a good man.When he finds his way back to his center, his relationship also rightsitself. The film's essential statement is that the immediate momentthat lives in all of us is the center from which loving connection isconceived, nurtured and revitalized.The Big Pharma aspect of the plot is humanized by looking at its effecton several levels of medical personnel and patients. A variety of humanbetrayals are shown as a part of corporate health care. This story linedevelops the idea that corporate greed can subvert the best parts ofour humanity if we do not recognize our most important needs.

lance24 2012-05-22 17:25:26

Movie that tries to do too much and fails at everything

Ed Zwick is a good director with an admirable body of work and AnneHathaway and Jake Gyllenhall can both act, particularly Hathaway. Howdid these elements go so wrong? Falsely marketed as a comedy about aviagra salesman and a beautiful woman, the movie is about a charismaticsalesman who falls for a woman with a debilitating illness. We've seenit all before. Having worked at a big studio, I could feel the hands ofthe creative executives and their "notes" all over the screenplay: suckus in in the first thirty minutes with laughs and sex and then try toget us to buy into the drama of beautiful woman who is going to live ahorrible life. Oh, don't forget that vulgarity is in vogue, so throw inthe obese, sophomoric, internet-rich brother, to bring thesophistication level down to the worst Judd Apatow movie and let'sthrow in a totally unnecessary role for Oliver Platt. This seemed morelike the first draft of a novice's screenplay than a professionallycrafted effort. The screenplay (and the director) never could figureout where to go next. My biggest problem was that the Gyllenhallcharacter, whose "arc" moves form a charming womanizer to a committedman. He was never a jerk or a bad guy and never did or said one thingin the movie that the audience could dislike him for; hence histransformation to a guy who loves a fantastic, beautiful, sexy womanwasn't that big a step or, rather, not an impressive arc. This movieneeded a page one rewrite as it moved from rom-com to dramady to exposeof big pharma, to vulgar for no reason andfailing to succeed anywhere.No red blooded man will ever complain about seeing Anne Hathaway nudebut after a while it seemed like a gimmick--we get the fact that shewas sexually liberated. Ten nude scenes didn't make the movie anybetter.

Bobby Myers 2012-05-22 05:23:19

'Love and Other Drugs' are enticing

Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway deliver inspiring, charismatic anddimensional performances in Edward Zwick's latest directorial venture.The film, like the performances, arcs from shallow objectives andarguably questionable behaviors to capturing the essence of love. It'sthe classic tale of boy meets girl except as Maggie (Hathaway) puts it,"...this isn't about connection for you, this isn't even about sex foryou. This is about finding and hour or two of relief from the pain ofbeing you, and that's fine with me because all I want's the exact samething." Maggie's quote is perhaps the single most foreshadowing momentthat will cause their parallel paths to intersect, putting forth amoving story of human compassion and love. Jamie (Gyllenhaal) is intenton becoming the most successful sales rep for the pharmaceutical giant,Pfizer. His aspirations are simple; sex, the Viagra account, andgetting to Chicago. Maggie's objectives are a bit different. While shetoo is intent on the escapism she finds in sex, it's subtly presentedthat her goal is to be an artist - a goal that may be no longerachievable. What transpires is a character arc for each person and therealization that meaningless sex may have led to the ultimate humangoals of companionship and love.'Love and Other Drugs' is a nicely told story that keeps you laughingand hoping but will ultimately leave a tear in your eye. It exudes, toperfection, human emotion and leaves you feeling the reality of thesituation and of each character, while doing its best to present adiagnosis with antidepressants and Viagra. It's cinematically beautifuland nicely paced to deliver a stand-out film containing all thechemistry Gyllenhaal and Hathaway had in years prior while filming'Brokeback Mountain'. Acting is where the film garners much of itssuccess through beautiful nuances, flawless delivery and strong eyecontact. It leaves you hoping for the future, of both Maggie and Jamieand of a reuniting of Gyllenhaal and Hathaway.Grade: A+

ByeVas 2012-05-22 04:54:31

COMPLETE waste of time

This is by far one of the dumbest movies I've ever seen. It lacksconsistency. The plot lines are totally stupid and predictable and someof them are not even finished. There are characters and events whichare totally unnecessary for the plot. The dialogues are an endlessrepetition of the same ideas and the acting is mediocre. You know whatthe ending is going to be right from the start. The movie looks like agiant advertisement of Pfizer. And I don't understand why thecharacters go around naked - this has nothing to do with anything. Notthat I am opposed to nudity in film, but it has to have some meaning atleast(if it is not a pornography film).I hate the time that I lost watching it. Do yourself a favour and watchsomething else.

vday_now 2012-05-21 20:24:01

Excellent story of redemption of the heart

The acting of Jake and Anne are excellent portrayals of two characterswho each have significant personal issues that prevent them fromfinding fulfillment in love; that is until they meet each other. Thestory centers around Jamie's overwhelming desire to hide his insecurityof self worth by being an overachiever in his work and social skills.Whereas Maggie's incurable Parkinson's disease, with it's progressivelifestyle deterioration, causes her to protect herself from those whowould pity her or not be able to carry the burden of the support shewill ultimately need.The story presents these two characters with extreme passion for lifeand sexual prowess, that at first hides their personal issues from eachother, but which also increases the desires of both to connect morefully with the other. The juxtaposition of these two very intelligentand talented characters makes for an intriguing portrayal for theirdiscovery of love for each other.That desire is largely manifest by Jake's character (Jamie Randall) inthat Maggie makes him desire to be a better person thru her insightfulunderstanding of his weaknesses, yet her total acceptance of him.Ironically this insight makes her feel less threatened by Jamie, yetvery concerned about letting Jamie see her trials with Parkinson'sdisease.I found this story to be completely engaging and well performed by allthe actors and the director. This is an intelligent film and should berecognized for its achievement as such.

laura_macleod 2012-05-19 06:48:58

Shallow movie dealing with VERY serious issues about the medical profession and eye candy thrown in

Jake whatshisname and Ann thingy are gorgeous and make a beautifulcouple in this manipulative little movie about Parkinson's disease, thecorruption of the drug industry and how drugs are 'sold' to doctors; itis also about how sales reps virtually go around practically bribingthe medical profession to get their sales and it appears that somedoctors are very unethical - going to drug conventions to get laid andeven discussing patient's beautiful breasts with a drug rep. I wouldnot trust the US medical profession after watching this film. It alsoconveys very deep unethical questions about dysfunction in families - Imean is it normal for a brother to masturbate to his brother's privatesex film of him and his girlfriend having sex? Is this REALLY supposedto be funny? Oh and the 'orgy thing' at the end.....what was thelesbian thing with the Thai girl??? This was bordering on raciststereotype and very insulting to Thai women. All this utter diabolicalrubbish was mixed up in a story that seemed to cover some very seriousissues that must be occurring in the USA medical industry alongside alove story that was believable because Jake and Ann are SUBLIME actorsbut the movie stoops to such low depths, that I could not engage withit all. A big shame and a wasted chance - probably because the scriptwriter has the emotional depth of a 14 year old but a very clever brainto come up with these issues. I did not know either than people go toCanada to buy cheap medication from the USA. And why did that beautifulgirl live in that god awful dilapidated apartment with no family and nojob to speak of....it just did not make sense. Very contrived. Thankgod for Jake and Ann's beauty.

Sona J 2012-05-18 10:10:49

Dragged too much.No content whatsoever

To begin with I am a huge fan of Anne Hathaway and her choice of movieslately. But this movie just doesn't seem to fit that description. Ittook like years for the actual movie to start.Few characters wereabsolutely useless in the movie.Lots of loose ends.The end was tooobvious.Even among the other love flicks, this did not score well atall.Some depth/ content started to come in the movie when they startedto talk about Parkinson's disease but that did not happen for more than5-10 min.Though Anne Hathaway is looking good as always and has actedbrilliantly, yet the shallowness of the story and the same routine'casual fling becomes true love' angle really puts this movie down.

gradyharp 2012-05-18 08:16:45

Gyllenhaal and Hathaway Magic

LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS is based on Jamie Reidy's highly regarded novel'Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesmen' and as adapted for thescreen by Charles Randolph, Marshall Herskowitz and Edward Zwick (whoalso directs). It is a little jewel of a film. If the portion of thefilm that deals far too long with a silly Radio City Music Hall show ofPfizer Pharmaceuticals training program bores the audience (it shouldhave been severely edited for many reasons), it is worth the wait forthe actual romance story that follows. Jamie Randall (Jake Gyllenhaal) can't hold a job, preferring to focuson womanizing, much to the disdain of his wealthy obese brother Josh(Josh Gad), and his parents (George Segal and Jill Clayburgh in a rolethat was to be her last). Jamie best friend Bruce (Oliver Platt) joinsJamie in becoming a pharmaceutical rep for Pfizer and the two areplaced on the road to push Zoloft and Zithromax, finding that themarket is hoarded by Trey Hannigan (Gabriel Macht), an Eli Lilysalesman selling Prozac. Jamie encounters Trey in the office of Dr.Knight (Hank Azaria), studies Trey's success and his own failure, andin the process encounters a patient of Dr. Knight, the free spiritedgorgeous Maggie Murdock (Anne Hathaway) who has been with both Trey andDr. Knight. Jamie's lack of success pushing Zoloft suddenly reverseswhen Pfizer comes out with Viagra: Jamie is a natural to be the leadingsalesman for this new enhancing drug - or is he? There is a strangechemistry that develops between Jamie and Maggie and despite theirunlikely qualifications as relationship candidates, each finds in theother the qualities that turn wild one nighters into a solid loveaffair. Maggie has Parkinsonism and that aspect alters the way eachapproach the relationship. But it is the magic of how this blossomsinto one the screen's best romances that is the gift of the film. The story is frequently disrupted with sidebars that are supposed toprovide comic relief but in the end simply take up too much space awayfrom Jamie and Maggie. Had the film been edited to clean its shelvesthe way Jamie cleaned the physicians' sample shelves of Prozac thetotal product would have been even better. What the film brings intofocus is the enormously maturing talents of Gyllenhaal and Hathaway:they may just be the next great Hollywood silver screen couple. This is'a fine (and sensitive) romance' and well worth watching. Grady Harp

Frederick Malouf 2012-05-17 09:11:51

nice movie

Great to see how nudity is just a natural part of a relationship. Shehandles it very well. Really self-confident with her sexuality. Then something seems to change at 1:10 that does not seem to work withher.I guess she is trying to not let him get close.Anyway, nice film. Hathaway does a great job. And Jake is always good.I really like how sexy they are. So normal.I wonder if they had an affair? She is so complex, I would find it hardnot to. :)

2012-05-15 18:54:43

Luv Is The Drug

I'm not a huge fan of romantic comedies but this one kept my interest for the most part. I thought Jake G. and Anne Hathoway made interesting characters and u get to see them both partially nude. U get 2 c Jake G's bootie several times and he does have a somewhat hot body. I thought the story was interesting with a new twist so the story was somewhat original. Put it this way, I didn't have to turn it off half way through, you want to see what developes.

alerter 2012-05-15 12:00:01

smartest dramatic romantic-comedy in ages; nay sayers suffer from cold hearts, narrow minds

The story of Anne Hathaway's Maggie Murdock and Jake Gyllenhaal's JamieRandall has been told before in what was once known as tear-jerker,"disease-of-the-week" TV. The difference here is the organic layeringof a "romantic-comedy" atop three dramatic subtexts -- the overallhealth care crisis, pharmaceutical companies' influence over physicianscripts and the trials/tribulations of living with Parkinson's disease.The smartness of the framing drama is signature Ed Zwick and issuperior to the moronic contrivances that are typically used to stitchtogether most romantic-comedies today.It never hurts to have highly talented "eye candy" filling the screen,too.Jake has maintained his non-gym rat "cut" from Prince of Persia and Ihad no real idea about Anne's considerable physical assets, until thisgo around. Beyond physicality, they add palpable on-screen chemistry,with ample acting range that makes some people wonder about these twobeing a real-world, off-screen pairing. By no means is this just aChickFlick(TM). It's an Equal-Opportunity-to-Enjoy date movie.Jamie's a natural born salesman, a self-described "sh*thead", withsuitably situational ethics and mores. He knows that sex sells andnever shies away from it. He feigns ADD, but is really a whip-smart,premedical college dropout -- the oldest son, in a family spoiled bymedical and financial success. He's a prototypical 1990s ne'er-do-well.Gyllenhaal nails the part with a gee-shucks, then pour-it-on charm,telegraphing that Jamie knows he skates on his good looks over thethinnest ice. Once the ice gives way, Jamie is forced to suddenly fleefrom commissions-based consumer electronics into entry-level Big Pharmasales. Being a newly minted "health care professional," by Pfizer'ssales organization, Jamie is shipped to Pittsburgh, where he is toprove himself in market-share battle, under the tutelage of minor-cogsales manager Bruce Winston (Oliver Platt).Maggie's a talented and nonconformist visual artist, in multiple media,who's living with early onset (stage 1) Parkinson's disease. She seemsto make ends meet by waiting tables at a small-but-trendy coffee house,as well as by organizing senior citizen excursions to Canada to buyaffordable prescription medications. Young, beautiful and incurablyill, uninsured/cash-economy Maggie has a serial history of romantic (orwere they merely sexual?) liaisons with men who would be her savior.But Maggie doesn't want to be saved by anyone. She considers herself tobe a "sh*thead," of sorts, too.Maggie and Jake first cross paths during one of Jamie's doomed-to-failefforts to try to meet his Zoloft sales quotas. Prozac has a 100% lockon the scripts of local market trend-setting GP, Dr Stan Knight (HankAzaria). Jamie has managed to bribe his way into Dr Knight's privatepractice rounds in order to study the latter's daily workflow. Posingas an "intern," Jamie rides Dr Hank's coattails into a medicalconsultation with (and impromptu breast exam of) Maggie, who needs tohave her multiple scripts for Parkinson's, and all of the attendantside-effects, refilled.After Jamie's deception is exposed and the requisite, unethicalpersistence in obtaining Maggie's phone number, the two find ostensibly"honest" common sexual ground, where neither wants anything more fromthe other, other than an ongoing FWB arrangement, with hot-and-heavyemphasis on the B-part (pretty much the stuff that fuels a lot ofCraigslist "CAS" fantasy.) If that's all there was to L&OT, then it would be just anotherdumb-as-a-bag-of-screws romantic-comedy, no matter how beautifully andtastefully lensed.What attracted Zwick and co-writer Charles Randolph to tell this storywere larger (harder?) issues raised in Jamie Reidy's non-fiction book,Hard_Sell:_The_Evolution_of_a_Viagra_Salesman. Viagra is played to the hilt for jokes, but... We're living in the midst of an ongoing health care crisis, wherephysicians confront ongoing undue influence from Big Pharma, HMOs andinsurers in decisions that ought to be strictly medical. What was oncean "higher calling," has become just another job (albeit, highlycompensated, with accompanying high stress and highprofessional/financial risk).Physicians are routinely enticed to write scripts through offers offree gourmet meals, paid vacations (dressed up as educational junkets),outright cash payments (for "teaching" speaker-ships) and"miscellaneous" services. All of that really happens and, just maybe,contributes significantly to the high-price of name brand prescriptionmedications.We also see an highly compressed story (it's not supposed to be MedicalSchool) of living with Parkinson's (with many technical advisersthanked in the end credits, including Michael J Fox).Yes, Maggie's story is fictional, but it rings with authenticity.People who find themselves saddled with debilitating, life-threatening,chronic illness, who strive to live the best life that they can manageto, have a right to make their own choices as to how best to do exactlythat -- and to be accepted, respected and even loved for those choices,however they pan out, without pity. (That's not even easy to writedown.) Sometimes, True Love is asymmetrically, even messily, welded to RealNeeds. L&OD conveys that, from the writing all the way to the faces and eyesof Gyllenhaal and Hathaway in extreme close-up. It's straight up Drama,that doesn't diminish the romantic-comedy. The former only serves toaccentuate the latter and vice-versa.Platt and Azaria are to be thanked for their supporting turns that helpcarry the film without ever stealing it away. They're every bit asversatile as the leads. I don't need or want every film I see to be "Oscar worthy," but Ialways look for smart entertainment that doesn't insult me as a memberof the audience.L&OD is the only romantic-comedy that I've felt compelled to writesomething about to date. I was taken completely by surprise.(I will also miss Jill Clayburgh, 1944-2010, who lost her long-runningbattle with lymphoma. We may get to see her work one more time in2011's Bridesmaids.)

perkypops 2012-05-15 02:11:21

Hathaway and Gyllenhaal lift this out of the ordinary

Romantic comedy dramas generally live or die on the performances of themain leads and this entertaining story follows the tradition. Maggie(Hathaway) and Jamie (Gyllenhaal) work hard to provide a couple ofunlikely characters who meet but never seem to really connect in theway that relationships are made of. Maggie has early onset Parkinson'sand Jamie is the superficial and sexy sales guy who doesn't much likehimself. Maggie has reasons to be suspicious but Jamie is never goingto understand why is he? This film doesn't spend a lot of time buildingcharacters outside of the leads and this is to its credit since theyhold the whole plot together and make it work. We are made to feel thefrustrations and exhilaration of the relationship between Maggie andJamie without needing to worry about what is happening around them,even when it seems the pair are destined never to hit the right notesin harmony. Excellent performances from the leads.It is a good film and worth the effort to see.

TwitterJamieMadril 2012-05-14 15:44:30

Lighthearted fun and profound emotion make this film a great watch

While some producers may find the idea of writing a love story based onan illness a bit taboo, I found this film to be beautifully gritty,honest and poignant. Anne Hathaway did an incredibly job portraying acharacter that is admittedly flawed. Her ability to create such a wellrounded character, with such a sense of strength and at the same timevulnerability was truly magic. Her pain was so raw that it couldn'thelp but strike a nerve in any viewer. Anne's presence was profound inthis film. This film had the perfect balance of lighthearted fun andraw emotion to please a wide range of viewers. The director succeededin their efforts to create a film that introduced the viewer to theharsh realities we all must endure, while still allowing us toexperience the unwavering love that lies in all of us.

David Traversa 2012-05-12 22:01:14

A 2010 version of "Love Story" with some new twists.

What excellent actors are Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal!! From thevery beginning this movie is absorbing to the nth degree and its onlydefect is to be a bit too long, although it could be said thatprecisely that extra length is what provides the necessary time to makethese two characters truly rounded, multifaceted, humane and lovable.The issues introduced during the development of the story are all tooimportant, since each one in its own right could be used as the subjectfor another very absorbing whole movie: Parkinsons disease,unemployment, fear of loving, shady pharmaceutical laboratories, evenshadier medical insurance coverage (or lack of it!!), and a few more.The pacing is perfect, and so is the direction and the editing. Themusic and background sound effects must be perfect too because I didn'tnotice them at all, they blended so well within the story. The ending is the commercially adequate and expected, while I wouldhave preferred a more realistic one, but that's neither here nor there.Really watchable film with two exceptional actors that take most of thescreen time with quite an electrifying charisma.

2012-05-12 10:47:45

Dull

I was bored by the film, that I eventually gave up and switched the video off. Glad I rented it rather than saw it theatre. No sparks between main characters (actors) and story line seems to drag.Okay if you just want to see them naked.

Superunknovvn 2012-05-11 17:30:59

Appalling

Everything about "Love And Other Drugs" is just wrong - from the getgo. The very first scene we see Jamie (Jake Gyllenhaal) dancing aroundin an electric shop. He's a very successful salesman, because he charmseveryone, because he's just so damn charming - only thing is, he's not.It's one of those movies where everyone falls for the guy, when in reallife people would just find him appalling. That's just the beginning.We stick to this slippery guy who could have jumped right out of an80's movie he's that empty and material. In one of the next scenes wesee him dancing to "Macarena" at a pharmaceutical group's assessmentcenter. There's a lot of Gyllenhaal dancing. It's supposed to establishhim as this dynamic, success-oriented guy, but it's just awkward andreally annoying.We also meet other male characters, and ALL of them are misogynist pigswho only ever talk about getting laid: the successful doctor (HankAzaria, who at one point gives an incredibly sappy speech aboutgrievance in his job, which is completely out of place), Jamie'sworking colleague (Oliver Platt, who also does some inappropriatedancing), Jamie's biggest competitor, Jamie's Dad and worst of allJamie's brother, who's supposed to be the funny side character, but isjust detestable and disgusting. Oh, I almost forgot, there's a funnyhomeless guy, who starts getting his life together after he beginstaking Prozac. Nice little message there.Anyway, the most incredible thing happens: Jamie falls for a girl,Maggie. She's got Parkinson's disease. This is where the movie gets alldeep and edgy. We're supposed to feel sorry for her, but she's just avery unlikeable character. The movie has a thousand scenes where Maggieand Jamie go back and forth. He tells her about his feelings, she can'tlet it happen. It's interesting the first four times or so, then youjust want them to have a terrible car crash and die in flames.Jamie's big speech to get back Maggie in the end is the cream of thecrop: You got every cliché. He tries to talk to her, she rejects him atfirst, a "funny" old couple comments on how cute he is, he continueshis speech, the most kitschy music - think something along the lines ofthe "Bodyguard" soundtrack - starts playing in the background as Jamiespeaks the words that move Maggie to tears and make her finally give into her love. NOT FOR ONE SECOND do I believe that these two characterswill make it past the initial stages of being in love, when Maggie'ssickness really kicks in.This is just appalling. The movie gets a relatively high rating of 4/10stars from me, because for some reason it is eerily watchable. I hatedit, but I could still make it to the end without having to forcemyself. Also, Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway (who I don't like atall), do the best they can with these horribly written charactersthey're given.But that's about all the positive things you can say about "Love AndOther Drugs". Edward Zwick ought to be ashamed of himself.

lewiskendell 2012-05-11 02:56:02

Okay, but only half the movie it could have been.

"I'm going to need you more than you need me."Love and Other Drugs is bi-polar. It gradually transitions from fun andlight to melodramatic and deathly serious, and I can't say that itmanages that switch completely successfully. Some people will preferthe sexy fun of the first half (like me), and others will find the moreemotional latter half to be more involving (not like me), but I doubtmost will equally enjoy both parts (I didn't). And one of the maincharacters is probably one of the most annoying ever written, and themovie would have automatically been about 10% better without him in it(has Josh Gad ever been even slightly funny in anything?).Other than that stuff, Love and Other Drugs is pretty decent. Thecharacters are interesting and semi-realistic, it avoids beingexcessively sappy or predictable (at least, until the end), and JakeGyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway have chemistry coming out the wazoo.Love and Other Drugs could have been something awesome, but it fails tolive up to its full potential by eventually giving in to the sameclichés that 75% of the movies in this genre slavishly adhere to. It'sstill worth checking out if you're curious, though.