Know Rom-Coms

I love classic rom-coms, especially of the screwball variety, but haven't found a lot of modern ones that I enjoy. But I don't stop trying, so: Down with Love (2003).

It's New York City, 1962. Rene Zellweger is the author of a soon-to-be best seller, "Down with Love." Her thesis: woman don't need a man or a relationship. Sex is fine, as long as it's purely physical. Emotional needs can be met with chocolate. Etc. Her new best friend and editor is Sarah Paulson, and the publisher is Tony Randall - see, this movie is a throwback to the Doris Day movies of the time, where Randall played many a neurotic best friend. 

I'm going to quote the best joke here: When Zellweger is being introduced in the boardroom, the editors all introduce themselves as "J.R.", "E.G.", "J.B.". etc. Zellweger says, "O.K." Someone responds that O.K. is down with T.B. When Zellweger apologizes, he says, "No, he's eating lunch downstairs with T.B., our publisher." Nice joke with at least 3 punchlines.

Anyway, to promote the book, Paulson suggests that she get interviewed by Catcher Block (Ewan McGregor). He's a sort of Mailer-esque playboy wildman journalist. He writes for a magazine called "Know", which allows for a couple of "no magazine" jokes. His neurotic editor, David Hyde Pierce, plays the Tony Randall role. 

When McGregor keeps blowing her interview dates off (to sleep with assorted stewardesses, including Jeri Ryan), she publicly insults him. So now it's war: He decides to seduce her in disguise, and make her fall in love, destroying the premise of her book.

So he makes himself into a shy Texan with NASA and starts a slow, conservative courtship. She falls very quickly, trying to get him into bed, but he's a good boy who doesn't do that. Will she break down and fall in love before he does?

I'm not going to spoil this, but there is an amazing twist in the last act, that Zellweger explains in an epic 3-minute no-cut monolog. Of course, everyone gets their comeuppance, and lives happily ever after. 

One of the things I like about rom-coms is the way the plot must meet certain technical requirements - mix-ups occur and are resolved, love that is unrequited gets fulfilled, the untruthful and unfaithful are punished, etc. The script here is tight, and it all comes together in a satisfying way. The jokes are often in the style of the 60s, but raunchier. For example, there's a split screen phone conversation between Zellweger and McGregor, based on the one in Pillow Talk. Except here we see McGregor doing pushup in the top half, with Zellweger lying on the floor under him in the bottom frame. 

I liked this a lot - not a new favorite, or on my top 10, but a solid execution in a genre I like. I like seeing Rene Zellweger - she reminds me a bit of Vera-Ellen: a round-featured face on a slim build. McGregor doesn't do much for me here. He just doesn't seem hot enough for the role, and I didn't feel much chemistry between him and Zellweger. Although, they sing a song together in the end credits that feels like they were having a good time. 

In case you're wondering why I picked this, it was directed by Peyton Reed, who did the MCU Ant-Man movies. Since the first one in particular has a very 70s heist movie vibe, I guess his penchant for pastiche got him that gig.