Down with love is not a great movie, but gee it's good. A mannerist piece after Doris Day and Rock Hudsen, the plot concerns a modern miss named Barbara Novak, who has written a book called Down with Love. Her thesis is that women need to free themselves from love; dating is fine, they just can't fall in love. Set in New York in 1962, Novak's book quickly becomes all the rage.

Enter Catcher Block, a playboy journalist, who disguises himself as a NASA scientist in the hope that he can prove that Barbara is nothing but a fraud. In the manner of all good romantic comedies, both leads have to have their supporting characters. For Catcher it is his editor, Peter McManus, played by David Hyde Pierce--actually it's the same role he plays on Frasier, only more so. And for Barbara it is her publicist Vikki Hiller, Sarah Paulson. Actually, I think Paulson's role is largely to double the excess of the 60's fashion show, but the result is quite delightful I'm not complaining.

Without a doubt, the success of the film is due to the two leads, Renee Zellwegger and Ewan McGregor. Zellwgger is completely and absolutely wonderful in the role of Barbara. I loved everything she does. She walks the walk and talks the talk, and be sure to stay for the credits where she and Ewan sing and dance as well. There are moments in this film you won't want to miss and will likely want to see again, one in particular is Zellwegger's speech toward the end of the film--the dialogue goes on and on, fast and furious, and she does it all in one shot, no breaks, no cuts. It's phenomenal, maybe not quite as spectacular as the opening shot of Touch of Evil, but awfully impressive none the less.

Ewan McGregor is equally fine as Catcher Block--every one in the movie enjoys saying his name as much as I do, by the way. Catcher is a cad, the type of man you despise and idolize in equal proportions.

Next to Zellweger and McGregor and almost as impressive, are the sets and costumes. Both characters have wonderful New York apartments filled with the appropriate gadgets and decor. Down with Love stumbles and almost falls when it tries to be too modern, there's some split screen work that kind of tacky. This film really works when it stays cute. The pleasure here is in the chuckles and they are plentiful.


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