'Love and Other Drugs'

'Love and Other Drugs' (R) (rental/ matinee)

Writers: Edward Zwick, Charles Randolph and Marshall Herskovitz
Based on book "Hard Sell: Evolution of a Viagra Salesman" by Jamie Reidy
Director: Edward Zwick
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Jake Gyllenhaal, Oliver Platt, Hank Azaria, Gabriel Macht, Judy Greer, Jill Clayburgh, Josh Gad, George Segal, Kathryn Winnick

There are two different kinds of tone at battle and a misguided and false ending to deal with in "Love and Other Drugs". It is a shame because I love the writers and director and Anne Hathaway gives a great performance. There is a raunchy and sometimes very funny comedy going on and then a sad, sobering drama also going on. So if you like comedy you might go for this and if you like a sad drama you will go for this. The movie is okay on those two sides but together it doesn't quite gel or work. I also didn't feel the ending fit the way the characters deserve it to and that it comes off as false and Hollywood phony. Jake Gyllenhaal (pretty good here) plays Jamie who is trying to make it as a salesman and starts to work in pharmaceutical sales. He is trying to push a new drug called Zoloft to doctors and in a certain doctor's office he meets Maggie, played by Hathaway. The way he meets her to me comes off as fake and smarmy but after they meet they start a nice relationship. Jamie has an overweight brother who stays with him and that role is the chubby, comic relief character played by Josh Gad. We find out (spoiler alert!) that Maggie is in early stages of Parkinson's. This is where the movie starts to get serious and the love affair also gets treated seriously.

I was sort of into this movie after it settled down and I thought when the real serious disease material came out it was handled truthfully and well. I just think the ending is all wrong for what happens to these two for it seems wrong and not a good fit, you can decide. I was disappointed in this film because it sometimes comes close to real greatness and with these writers and director I expect more. The film is co written and directed by Evanston native Edward Zwick who along with co writer Marshall Herskovitz created the television show "thirtysomething". They also made one of my all time favorite romantic movies in "About Last Night..." which is one of the best movies of the 80's. Zwick also directed another great film of the 80's, "Glory". I had to keep comparing "Love and Other Drugs" to "About Last Night.." because it is familiar with it's comedy (especially the Jim Belushi type role by Gad) and young adults in love story. "About Last Night..." handles the comedy and love story much better and the ending was perfect and Zwick's new movie ends on a false note that doesn't feel right.

I did love Ann Hathaway's performance that reminded me a little of Julia Robert's performance in "Pretty Woman", also a much better romance. I feel this movie could bomb because the illness part of the movie is not advertised. If it does bomb this will not further Hathaway's career but she will bounce back. I liked her down to earth appeal here and compared to Gyllenhaal trying too hard she comes off as more compelling. You kind of see why Jamie would fall instantly in love with this woman. I like how this movie deals with Parkinson's which is a nasty disease. I like when the movie shows us a Parkinson's support group that Maggie goes to. There is a powerful scene where Jamie goes to a meeting and hears a story from a man who is married to a woman with the disease and it is sobering and powerful. The movie is full of great scenes of drama and there is some funny stuff. I just think the movie doesn't succeed in combining the great parts into a satisfying whole. There is one thing that is refreshing in this movie and that is the sex scenes and nudity. I think we are in an age where terrorizing a woman in movies is not harped on but sex with a woman is overly scrutinized. I hate when two people have sex with the covers on or clothed. This comes off as fake and ridiculous because real love making is not like this. I commend Hathaway for doing these nude scenes when most big name actresses are afraid to. "Love and Other Drugs" is half way there to greatness but fails in the end.

P.S. I am giving "Love and Other Drugs" a new kind of rating. Before I gave movies that I was a ambivalent about a (rental) review which means I suggest you wait for it on DVD. I now feel it is unfair for me to suggest that especially if you feel you have to see the movie because say you just love Jake Gyllenhaal! So my new rating is (rental/matinee) so if you really want to see it maybe a discounted matinee price is better for you.