Love and Other Drugs

The spasmodic transitions from pure comedy to depressing drama ultimately leave the film with an awkward and disjointed impression. I was sorry about that, because Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway are a likable couple and perform decently within their capabilities. It struck me as more of a "comedy with occasional dramatic elements", which I didn't care for conceptually. Had it been presented as a "drama with occasional comedic elements", the final impression might have been a little better. Some of the jokes were funny, others were borderline lame. (12/01/2019)

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)

I really should stop watching movies like this. It makes me hate the life around me, written by the world's most wretched ever screenwriter. Otherwise, Jake is a cool dude playing a typical pretty boy, and he's surprisingly bearable. As for Anne, I can see why we're going to see her in the third Batman. Already here she’s simply divine. Too bad about the crude jokes between the brothers which really don't work, otherwise Zwick serves up a drama "from life" which rides a wave of clichés, but every once in a while... why not? No I'm... I'm knowingly full of shit. (28/06/2011)

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)