By: debbie lynn elias
What do you get when you take an out-moded style, contemporary movie stars, exuberantly effusive Technicolor sets, mod clothes and hair, retro decor, a dashing leading man, lovely leading lady and a loosely up-dated script that reads like that classic Rock Hudson-Doris Day vehicle, “Pillow Talk”? Try, the simply smashing new romantic comedy, “Down With Love.”
Opening in theaters nationwide on May 16, “Down With Love” is the story of Barbara Novak, a young single woman currently riding the crest of fame and fortune thanks to a book she’s written called “Down With Love” based on the lone premise that for women to be successful in their professional lives, they must abandon all thoughts of falling in love. (Hey, this may be set in 1962 and not totally “p.c.” today, but girls, stop and think about it – when love is right, the job is wrong – when the job is right, love is wrong. How often do the two actually blend? There just might be something to this theory!)
As a favor to Barbara’s editor, Peter McMannus, publisher of the men’s magazine “Know”, agrees to do a cover story on Barbara, her life and her book, and gives the assignment to one, Catcher Block, star journalist and ladies man extra ordinaire. Unfortunately, Catcher is out catching too many other things (shaped like an hour glass, two legs, two arms, two…..you know what I mean) to take the time to interview Barbara for the story. As the popularity of both Barbara and the book surge (without Catcher’s cover story), she eventually lands on national television and in a sweet little turn around, exposes Catcher for the womanizer that he is. Naturally, Catcher is not going to be made a fool of and let a woman have the last word and so, devises a scheme to woo Barbara and expose her and her beliefs as a bunch of bunk by getting her to fall in love with him. Oh yeah, and he disguises himself as a wealthy Texan. (Does Rex Stetson ring a bell for any of you film fanatics out there?) But the tables keep turning as Barbara becomes the sexual aggressor (could it have something to do with her own sex-starved life as men refuse to sleep with her as payback for her telling wives and girlfriends to hold out on their men…hmmm!), going gung-ho after Catcher, who – surprise, surprise – holds out on her.
Renee Zellweger, still riding the waves of her hit “Chicago”, while not the total picture of Doris Day innocence, is delightful as Barbara. David Hyde Pierce easily slips into the male best friend role as Catcher’s publisher McMannus and, dare we say it, is so reminiscent of Tony Randall in that same type of role throughout the late 50’s and 60’s, that one would swear it’s Randall on the screen. But wait, that IS Tony Randall, putting in a cameo appearance as Theodore Banner. What more could one want? Well, I’ll tell you – Ewan McGregor as Catcher Block. After his turn in “Moulin Rouge!” and now here, there is no doubt about it – he IS the Rock-Hudson-Cary Grant combination male fo the 21st Century. Suave, sophisticated , sexy – and he can sing, too! Simply irresistible.
Director Peyton Reed, whose only other big screen effort was “Bring It On”, the 2000 cheerleading sleeper hit starring Kirsten Dunst and Eliza Dushku, pulls off the impossible here by balancing the romantic comedy with a nice blend of parody and satire, topped off with some dazzling technical displays, including that Ross Hunter retro style of film-making complete with split screens, rear projection and swipe images, without getting sappy, boring or too retro
Essential to a film like this, the writing team of Eve Ahlert and Dennis Drake, provide one of the smartest and wittiest scripts to come along in a while. And while you are all probably thinking you know how the film ends, think again. A subtle, surprising turn in the last act keeps the film fresh while retaining the entire male-female topsy turvy battle of the sexes a la 1962.
But, if for no other reason, go see this film for its meticulous style and eye-popping candy-colored kaleidoscopic sets – a Technicolor dream thanks to production designer Andrew Laws and only enhanced by the talents of cinematographer Jeff Cronenwelth, And going hand-in-hand is the parade of fashion provided by costume designer Daniel Orlandi. Absolutely to-die-for vintage-style and couture frocks. And if you’re wondering whether or not our two latest movie musical stars will team up for a duet here, you betcha – thanks totally to Ewan McGregor’s pleas to the producers (and their good sense to listen). Hey, what can I say? You’ve can’t help but be up for “Down With Love!”
