Love and Other Drugs

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)

Love and Other Drugs is a typical American dramatic-romantic comedy that doesn't really stand out from its long line of similar predecessors. The leading couple (Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal) have already been together in Brokeback Mountain, and they really hit it off here. Despite the primal stereotyping, the plot was enriched by an inscrutable disease. A relaxing film to lighten the mood, helped especially by the likeable lead duo and a pleasant soundtrack. (21/05/2011)

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)

The golden age of up-and-coming R-rated relationship dramas that artfully oscillate between light comedy and a classy dramatic plot. They're spicier, get deeper under the skin and can be very direct, even improvisational. The cards are dealt quite clearly and the outcome is basically decided, but the most interesting thing is the journey from A to Z. The chemistry between Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal is remarkable. Edward Zwick surprised with his choice of genre and even more so with the agility and awareness of his execution. (12/03/2017)

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)