Love and Other Drugs

The movie would have been much improved if Josh, played by Josh Gad, was removed from the plot. His cringiness felt like something straight out of American Pie. The movie was stuck somewhere between comedy and drama without fully committing to either, lacking the wit needed for comedy and the depth required for drama. Not even Anne Hathaway's dedication to her role could save it. Oddly enough, I could relate to the main protagonist's emotions, however strange it feels to admit that. Having someone commit to you when you are in a state that's incompatible with life is not a good idea. For either of you. However, my ability to empathize with this aspect couldn't outweigh the overall pointlessness of the movie. / Lesson learned: Even a serious illness can find practical use in life. (12/07/2022)

Love & Other Drugs is a pretty solid, feel-good rom-com that doesn’t have anything groundbreaking but also nothing that really annoyed me. Anne Hathaway and especially Jake Gyllenhaal were great in their roles, with Jake showing off his versatility and charm. You can definitely feel the romance in the film, but it wasn’t overdone or bothersome. That said, it could’ve been a bit shorter to really hit the sweet spot. What surprised me most was finding out it was directed by Edward Zwick. He usually handles more intense, historical films, so maybe this was his attempt at something lighter and more laid-back. And in that sense, he pulled it off well. Still, it’s the kind of movie you’ll likely forget about soon after watching, which is a bit of a shame. (04/06/2012)

Man, this one cracked me up :-)) The beginning was basically nothing, but once Anne Hathaway appeared on the scene, who, by the way, looked more beautiful than ever, the movie took off... in every way. I liked the dry humor underlined by really good music. Maybe next time I could do without the "lame" (and I say that very nicely) brother. The romance worked here, no question about it. The story was wonderful and perhaps a little original. A happy ending with all the trimmings and then some. I'm surprised, excited, and a little tearful. And I like it, a lot. (29/03/2011)

An inconspicuous pearl that only gains its true luster with time. Seemingly routine plot lines, slightly formulaic characters from thematically similar romantic comedies, and predictable developments transform into a perfectly complex spectacle with a conceptual and even greater emotional depth in the second half. Edward Zwick directs a romance with a capital 'R' and Anne Hathaway confirms that when it comes to the role of a girl-next-door, she has only minimal competition in contemporary Hollywood. (23/03/2011)

I don't think I've ever seen an American mainstream film that so blatantly pokes fun at the pharmaceutical industry. I'm surprised Pfizer didn't demand some hefty compensation for this in many ways unflattering commercial. Maybe the Viagra references calmed the corporation. Anyway, I have to admit that the creators chose a great central couple. Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway had an unbelievable sparkle and both were absolutely amazing in their roles. However, I enjoyed Jake's acting more, as he convinced me that he has a natural comedic talent that I had no idea about until now. I'd probably leave out a few nude scenes and tone down the vulgarity a bit, but otherwise I had a pretty good time. And at the very end, the overabundance of painful romance even made my vision unexpectedly blurry. (75%) (19/01/2023)