Love & Other Drugs (B or 3/4 stars)
'Love & Other Drugs' (based on Jamie Reidy's memoirs & directed by one of my favorite directors, Edward Zwick) takes place when Viagra, patented by Pfizer in 1996 & approved by the FDA in 1998, became THE drug of men (& even women) to bolster their sex lives. Jamie Randall (Jake Gyllenhaal) - a smart, but aimless playboy - starts a career as a Pfizer rep near the beginning of the film, but has problems meeting his quotas; a fact that his vet partner, Bruce (Oliver Platt) is not happy about. That said, Jamie's luck with the ladies, as well as a relentless nature serves him well in the merciless world of pharmaceutical sales. And when Viagra hits the market, he becomes an instant star whose product is desired by the influential Dr. Knight (Hank Azaria).
In the interim, Jake uses his charm to strike up - what becomes (from casual sex romps) - a relationship with one of Dr. Knight's more alluring patients, the free-spirited Maggie Murdock (Anne Hathaway). At age 26, she has early onset Parkinson's disease; and as a defense mechanism, has an impulsive, cold demeanor when it comes to 'dating'. Basically, she'll fu*k, but little else; not wanting to attach to someone who may eventually leave, due to her disease. Jamie is hell bent to break Maggie down, & show her that he may love her; something he's never even said to his parents (the late Jill Clayburgh, George Segal). Jamie is confident (as always) he can do this, but he may be in for a rude awakening. Love, drugs, & caretaking do not always mesh, no matter how good the intentions are.
While I can't call 'Love & Other Drugs' a resounding success, I will say that it's one of the best adult-driven, R-rated romantic dramedies that I've seen in quite a while. As far as that genre goes, and if you see the film, you probably won't be disappointed. The depiction of the complicated relationship at the heart of the film is brutal, but honest. Their initial dalliance is eye-popping, the evolution of the relationship is fresh, & the romantic complications that arise are not standard. Disease creates a natural commitment imbalance, no matter how hard one tries to thwart it. And I was so happy to see onscreen romance tested in this way. Drama & comedy are conjoined in this film. Some of the romantic situations are hilarious, some are near-tragic. And Zwick is able to balance the tones quite well.
The film falters a bit in incorporating the drug pharmaceutical angle. At intermittent spots throughout the film, certain characters launch into diatribes about the drug industry's dirty laundry, it's amorality, doctors, $$, patient manipulation, corruption, etc.. And though what is said is not incorrect, the spurts (usually said by the Oliver Platt or Hank Azaria characters) bring a halt to the romantic narrative; hence, mildly boring us. The movie works much better when it focuses on Jamie, Maggie, their chemistry, & the comedic moments; usually at the expense of Jamie's caustic brother, Josh (Josh Gad).
The 1st hour of this movie is as sexy, raunchy, funny, FUN, & sexy (have I mentioned that?) as anything I've seen this year. For one, when you've got lead actors as charming, witty, & attractive as Gyllenhaal & Hathaway and, if they exhibit sexual chemistry ... then it's pretty hard to go wrong. These 2 actors show as much skin as humanly possible without actually showing their specific private parts, & that keeps up for most of the film. In a fair world, Jake Gyllenhaal would be contending for a Best Actor nomination at the Oscars, but it won't happen. Anne Hathaway is excellent, as well. Whether or not she squeaks in, we won't know 'til award precursors start trickling in. Together, the 2 actors just nail the arrogance, vulnerabilities, & richness of the characters they inhabit.
So when all is said & done, I commend the film for straying from predictable pap, borrrring romances, slapstick humor, & sentimental cliches (well, at least til the final 2 scenes). 'Love & Other Drugs' gets somewhat slow and too-serious for its own good in the 2nd hour (drug industry, effects of her illness), but it's a pleasant movie that gives considerable narrative weight to both complex romances & the subject of Parkinson's. Those positives & negatives give the film an overall uneven feel. But as a movie-goer, you could see FAR worse. See 'L&OD' for the first snappy, saucy, hysterical hour, & the final 5-10 minutes. It's worth it.
In the interim, Jake uses his charm to strike up - what becomes (from casual sex romps) - a relationship with one of Dr. Knight's more alluring patients, the free-spirited Maggie Murdock (Anne Hathaway). At age 26, she has early onset Parkinson's disease; and as a defense mechanism, has an impulsive, cold demeanor when it comes to 'dating'. Basically, she'll fu*k, but little else; not wanting to attach to someone who may eventually leave, due to her disease. Jamie is hell bent to break Maggie down, & show her that he may love her; something he's never even said to his parents (the late Jill Clayburgh, George Segal). Jamie is confident (as always) he can do this, but he may be in for a rude awakening. Love, drugs, & caretaking do not always mesh, no matter how good the intentions are.
While I can't call 'Love & Other Drugs' a resounding success, I will say that it's one of the best adult-driven, R-rated romantic dramedies that I've seen in quite a while. As far as that genre goes, and if you see the film, you probably won't be disappointed. The depiction of the complicated relationship at the heart of the film is brutal, but honest. Their initial dalliance is eye-popping, the evolution of the relationship is fresh, & the romantic complications that arise are not standard. Disease creates a natural commitment imbalance, no matter how hard one tries to thwart it. And I was so happy to see onscreen romance tested in this way. Drama & comedy are conjoined in this film. Some of the romantic situations are hilarious, some are near-tragic. And Zwick is able to balance the tones quite well.
The film falters a bit in incorporating the drug pharmaceutical angle. At intermittent spots throughout the film, certain characters launch into diatribes about the drug industry's dirty laundry, it's amorality, doctors, $$, patient manipulation, corruption, etc.. And though what is said is not incorrect, the spurts (usually said by the Oliver Platt or Hank Azaria characters) bring a halt to the romantic narrative; hence, mildly boring us. The movie works much better when it focuses on Jamie, Maggie, their chemistry, & the comedic moments; usually at the expense of Jamie's caustic brother, Josh (Josh Gad).
The 1st hour of this movie is as sexy, raunchy, funny, FUN, & sexy (have I mentioned that?) as anything I've seen this year. For one, when you've got lead actors as charming, witty, & attractive as Gyllenhaal & Hathaway and, if they exhibit sexual chemistry ... then it's pretty hard to go wrong. These 2 actors show as much skin as humanly possible without actually showing their specific private parts, & that keeps up for most of the film. In a fair world, Jake Gyllenhaal would be contending for a Best Actor nomination at the Oscars, but it won't happen. Anne Hathaway is excellent, as well. Whether or not she squeaks in, we won't know 'til award precursors start trickling in. Together, the 2 actors just nail the arrogance, vulnerabilities, & richness of the characters they inhabit.
So when all is said & done, I commend the film for straying from predictable pap, borrrring romances, slapstick humor, & sentimental cliches (well, at least til the final 2 scenes). 'Love & Other Drugs' gets somewhat slow and too-serious for its own good in the 2nd hour (drug industry, effects of her illness), but it's a pleasant movie that gives considerable narrative weight to both complex romances & the subject of Parkinson's. Those positives & negatives give the film an overall uneven feel. But as a movie-goer, you could see FAR worse. See 'L&OD' for the first snappy, saucy, hysterical hour, & the final 5-10 minutes. It's worth it.