"Love and Other Drugs" Movie Review

Love and Other Drugs just seems like it is going to be another romantic comedy following the pattern of all the rest before it, but it isn’t. You don’t meet Anne Hathaway’s character, Maggie, until the second half of the movie and by that point we’ve already gone through the motions of whom and where Jake Gyllenhaal’s character, Jamie, is going essentially in his life. So we are familiar with one of the main characters and beginning to learn about the other as Jamie’s character is. We are basically thrown into his perspective in the movie, since he is the only one we know about and have grown with. However, when we begin to learn about Maggie, this might change for many viewers like it did for me. As their relationship develops and progresses, things get complicated by medical illness and Jamie’s job as a pharmaceutical rep. They fall under the influence of the ultimate drug: Love.

This movie is the most depressing film ever, especially if you can relate to the main characters. Granted it is an awesome movie and definitely funny at times, but I wouldn’t recommend watching it if you are in a depressive state or in a broken relationship. I am in a stable relationship of three years, and I was still bawling because of how I felt like this film was showing my life and my future. The performances were amazing and the social commentary about the medical industry of the 90s was interesting so it was very engaging and informative. However, this film is not for the faint of heart. If you have any major medical illnesses at all, this movie will show the difficulties in those relationships, but also that there is someone out there for everyone… no matter what.