LOVE & OTHER DRUGS (REVIEW)
Rated
MA - 112 mins
JAKE GYLLENHAAL, ANNE HATHAWAY, OLIVER PLATT, CONSTANCE BRENNEMAN,
HANK AZARIA, GEORGE SEGAL
Advertisements for this rather bold
film focus on the nudity, which is actually quite risqué at times, however
the charming and funny aspects to the story become surprisingly mournful.
Jamie
is a jovial charmer who considers himself irresistible to all females. He relishes
his job as a pharmaceutical salesman and Viagra is his favourite product, although
he sells others with equal sincerity. The film takes place around 1990 when the
wonder pill was beginning to rise (so to speak) in the marketplace. Determined
to sell his way up the medical ladder out of Ohio and into the realms of the windy
city, Chicago, Jamie is a vigilant flirt with any receptionist in a doctor's office
that may look his way.
One of his friends is well known professional
sleaze, Dr. Knight, played by the frightfully realistic, Hank Azaria. Just for
the sake of it, the Doc allows Jamie to sit in and observe a patient under false
pretences. In walks Maggie Murdock, played by Anne Hathaway in brilliant strong-willed
form, that backs up her 2009 best actress Oscar nomination for 'Rachel's Getting
Married'. There for a breast related check up, Maggie picks up on the fraud early
on as Jamie attempts to use the twinkle in his eye with sharp one-liners as an
attempt to smoothly seduce. It works! Maggie is keen and over a very short period,
they fall for each other in a big way. The carefree relationship is in full stride
when a secret is unleashed that may damage future association, or so Maggie thinks.
Endearing
up until this point, the weight and attention to the revelation slows down the
amusing aspects to proceedings. Love between the pair is kept alive, but realisms
of the situation conveys into some definite decision with considerable drama to
follow. You have been warned - this is not a fluffy romantic comedy. Trust from
the leads with each other during the flesh flashing scenes is evident, but never
unjustified. As things move into serious mode, the pair also display true emotion.
Gyllenhaal the unconventional star of 'Donnie Darko' and 'Jarhead' continues his
fast Hollywood rise.
Support from veterans George Segal and
the late Jill Clayburgh are poignant, while a brief scene involving little known
star in the making, Natalie Gold, will bring a rare smile. Sexual shenanigans
aside, this is far from a date movie and a drama not soon forgotten.
Shane
A. Bassett
