Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sex, drugs, and disease clash in racy, uneven romcom.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Love and Other Drugs
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 15 parent reviews
Based on 15 kid reviews
Kids say the film features a cliche storyline and considerable sexual content, which might deter younger audiences. While some viewers appreciated the acting, particularly by the leads, many found the pacing disjointed and the heavy reliance on sexual themes overshadowed the plot's potential depth.
- cliche storyline
- sexual content
- good acting
- disjointed pacing
- not for kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
After serial seducer Jamie Randall (Jake Gyllenhaal) loses his job selling audio equipment when he sleeps with the boss' girlfriend, he gets hired as a pharmaceutical rep for Pfizer -- and quickly finds that his way with the ladies helps get his foot in the door. Then he meets Maggie Murdock (Anne Hathaway), and she steals his heart, despite the fact that she has stage one Parkinson's disease. With Viagra on the way and untold wealth to be made, can shallow Jamie knuckle down and build a life with Maggie? And can Maggie trust that he won't run away when the going gets tough?
Is It Any Good?
Juggling the tricky mix of romantic comedy, sentiment, and serious issues is a job for a very graceful filmmaker, and Edward Zwick is about as far from that description as possible. In LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS, he relies on too many obvious romantic comedy staples -- like the "goofy best friend" -- and then flips over to heartstring-plucking moments relating to Parkinson's disease. (All of which is spiced up with tons of sex and language.)
In between, the movie tries to strike up some chemistry between Gyllenhaal and Hathaway, who previously played an unhappily married couple in Brokeback Mountain. It has its moments. Gyllenhaal never quite loses himself in his character, but Hathaway goes all the way. She gives a marvelously instinctive performance that brings Maggie to life, even when the movie doesn't.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way the movie treats sex. The characters think and talk a lot about it and are seen having sex quite often. What role does it play in their relationship? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values surrounding sex and relationships.
The movie was based on someone's real-life experiences. Does that make it a true story? How much of the movie feels "true"? Why might filmmakers change some parts of it?
Why would Maggie be so reluctant to accept that Jamie could love her?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 24, 2010
- On DVD or streaming : March 1, 2011
- Cast : Anne Hathaway , Jake Gyllenhaal , Oliver Platt
- Director : Edward Zwick
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Romance
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong sexual content, nudity, pervasive language, and some drug material
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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