Down with Love

The perfect date flick, 'Down With Love' is a saucy romantic comedy, replete with tongue-in-cheek banter and naughty double entendres. In the film, set in the early 60s, Barbara Novak (Zellweger) has just written 'Down With Love', a feminist book that promises to liberate women from the sexual mores of the time. It encourages women to enjoy sex the way a man does - "a la carte"! The book soon becomes a worldwide sensation. Women everywhere are taking their lives into their hands, terrifying men in the process.

Next, meet Catcher Block (McGregor). The quintessential ladies' man, Block is the ace writer for a popular men's magazine. His apartment reflects the man. Equipped with every gadget that will guarantee a night of pleasure, it has beds that unfold at the press of a button, a hidden bar, discrete lighting. After she becomes a star, Block vows to go undercover and expose Novak for what she really is: a woman who wants nothing more than to be loved by one man. Donning a pair of black-rimmed glasses and a coy southern accent, Block poses as Zip Martin, the astronaut. Playing the part of a perfect gentleman, Block endears himself to Novak. They go out on numerous dates, but when she seems ready to sleep with him, he acts old fashioned and wants to wait longer. For his purposes he borrows the apartment of his boss and owner of the magazine, Peter MacMannus (Pierce). Clumsy and slightly effete MacMannus, on the other hand, is trying hopelessly to entrap Vicki (Paulson), Novak's publisher.

Predictably, there is a twist in the tale. And in the end a chastened Block capitulates and falls in love with Novak.

The film is remarkably accurate in capturing the 60s. From the Novak's colourful outfits and Block's slicked back hair, so typical of the time, to the affected way in which the characters speak. Zellweger with her constant moue and a naughty twinkle in her eye is hilarious. And McGregor is equally successful as an arch playboy turned hopeless romantic. All in all, a fun film, guaranteed to make you laugh.

Pronoti Datta