Love And Other Drugs - DVD Review

'the serious bits in Chicago look like a serious city drama whilst a late and ill-judged foray to a slumber party looks like something directed by Apatow'

A tonally unstable Romantic Comedy, Love And Other Drugs treads the thin line between laughing at illness and being upbeat about it, whilst also trying to balance a comedy room-mate sub-story and more ogling at Anne Hathaway's breasts than anyone could wish for (or not depending on your visual preferences). Think Philadelphia meets You've Got Mail meets Old School and you're somewhere near close.

Needless to say it is the fratboy inspired hi-jinks that feel most out of place. Josh (Josh Gad) is Jamie's (Jake Gyllenhaal) millionaire brother, yet continually chooses to sleep on his couch where all manner of male-orientated stupidity might occur. At one point the character is even asked what he's still doing there although, apparently, no producer ever threw the same question out to director Edward Zwick.

Zwick, director of such eclectic works as Blood Diamond, The Last Samurai and Glory, brings a decent eye to proceedings, albeit one that ensures his film's look morphs in tune with its tone. His serious bits in Chicago look like a serious city drama whilst a late and ill-judged foray to a slumber party looks like something directed by Apatow. Notably he fluffs the final scene, which zooms in and out on its protagonists more times than any camera operator should feel comfortable with.

The saving grace is the sweet relationship/medical drama at the core with Gyllenhaal - now absolutely a bona fide 'star' and here bubbling with charisma - and Anne Hathaway rising through the distractions. Hathaway starts uncertain, weak even, but grows as the film progresses, her Maggie becoming a sympathetic creation who becomes a joy to be around. When the focus is allowed to rest on the two stars the film can be compelling, which makes it a real shame that so much time is spent on incidental meanderings into the wilderness of unimportant bit-players.

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'Love and Other Drugs is one of those rare movies during which you can laugh and cry within just one scene. Life can be like that.' - Movie Brit