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Down With Love

Play trailer 2:00 Poster for Down With Love PG-13 2003 1h 34m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
60% Tomatometer 176 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
It's 1962, and feminist Barbara Novak (Renée Zellweger) pens a best-selling book that details the drawbacks of love. She encourages women to forgo serious relationships with men in favor of independence, workplace achievements and satisfying sex. Despite her success, many men are taken aback by her progressive views, including slick writer Catcher Block (Ewan McGregor), who decides to expose Barbara as a fraud by making her fall in love with him. However, his plan has unexpected consequences.
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Down With Love

Down With Love

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Critics Consensus

Looks great, but Zellweger and McGregor have no chemistry together, and the self-satisfied, knowing tone grates.

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Critics Reviews

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Simran Hans New Statesman May 20, 2020
It left me so giddy I watched it twice. Go to Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Dec 22, 2010
4/5
Hilarious spoof on '60s comedies for mature 14+. Go to Full Review Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com Jun 19, 2003
2.5/4
If only the script was better this would be one of the great pleasures of the summer. Unfortunately, as it is onscreen, it's only a great missed opportunity. What a shame. Go to Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Mar 31, 2026
5/5
Down with Love is more than just an homage—it’s a film that fully understands the genre it’s celebrating and finds a way to make it feel fresh for a modern audience. Go to Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 6, 2020
2.5/4.0
The performances lacked focus. Go to Full Review Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Nov 7, 2019
Absolutely to-die-for vintage-style and couture frocks. Hey, what can I say? You've can't help but be up for Down With Love! Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Thyaagu C @Thyaagu Mar 31, 2026 Feminist vs playboy, and somehow it turns into this super smooth, cheeky battle of wits instead of a loud ego war. Had me smiling the whole time!! See more Ma'ark T @RT57514104 Jan 22, 2026 Stylistically Down with Love is great and if you let your self get lost you can almost feel like you're watching something from that era (early 60s). See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 30, 2025 Funny in 1 hour and 34 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Sexual Humor and Sexual Dialogue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $20,300,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Judi L @Solobarlady May 18, 2025 Agree with other comment that said Zellweger and McGregor had zero chemistry…in fact, his attraction at that stage of his career is questionable. And, irony was not lost as Sarah Paulson and David Hyde-Pierce play lovers and even at one point, she calls him a homosexual…interesting! The costumes and sets were absolutely fantastic and, for that alone, don’t miss this movie 🎥 See more Karen F @foster.karen Feb 9, 2025 So cute! Must see I don’t know why I never heard of this film before 2025 See more Shioka O @RT54204327 Feb 2, 2025 Worth watching for the nostalgic 60s design. Casting is not perfect though... See more Read all reviews
Down With Love

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Cast & Crew

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Peyton Reed

Director

Renée Zellweger

Barbara Novak

Ewan McGregor

Catcher Block

Sarah Paulson

Vikki Hiller

David Hyde Pierce

Peter McMannus

Rachel Dratch

Gladys

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Down With Love

Down With Love: Trailer 1 Down With Love: Trailer 1 2:00 Now Playing View more videos
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Down With Love

840R Catcher Block (Ewan McGregor, right) outlines his plans for the romantic conquest of best-selling author Barbara Novak, to his best friend and boss Peter McMannus (David Hyde Pierce). Publishing magnate Theodore Banner (Tony Randall) is flanked by "Down with Love": author Barbara Novak (Zellweger) and editor Vikki Hiller (Sarah Paulson). EWAN McGREGOR and RENÉE ZELLWEGER star in DOWN WITH LOVE, an old-fashioned romantic comedy with a twist. Lovesick and neurotic Peter McMannus (David Hyde Pierce) is tongue-tied when he meets up with the object of his affections, Vikki Hiller (Sarah Paulson). Author Barbara Novak (Renée Zellweger) arrives in the Big Apple, little suspecting that fame and romance await her. Against a striking 120-degree panoramic view from her deluxe New York apartment, Barbara (Renée Zellweger) revels in her newfound success. Barbara Novak (Renée Zellweger) is astounded by the success of her new book "Down with Love." Vikki (Sarah Paulson, left) and Barbara (Renée Zellweger) make "fashion show" entrances at an elegant supper club. EWAN McGREGOR and RENÉE ZELLWEGER star in DOWN WITH LOVE, the story of a spark-filled collision between a woman who has sworn off love and a ladies' man who thinks he doesn't need love. Sarah Paulsen, left, and Renée Zellweger react to the artwork for the latter's new pre-feminist manifesto, "Down with Love." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis It's 1962, and feminist Barbara Novak (Renée Zellweger) pens a best-selling book that details the drawbacks of love. She encourages women to forgo serious relationships with men in favor of independence, workplace achievements and satisfying sex. Despite her success, many men are taken aback by her progressive views, including slick writer Catcher Block (Ewan McGregor), who decides to expose Barbara as a fraud by making her fall in love with him. However, his plan has unexpected consequences.
Director
Peyton Reed
Producer
Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks
Screenwriter
Eve Ahlert, Dennis Drake
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Production Co
20th Century Fox
Rating
PG-13 (Sexual Humor|Sexual Dialogue)
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 16, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$20.3M
Runtime
1h 34m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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