Love & Other Drugs

Jamie Randall works as a charismatic pharmaceutical salesman who treats charm like a tool, closing deals and enjoying casual relationships. When he meets Maggie Murdock, a free-spirited and fiercely independent woman, their casual hookup quickly moves into something more complicated. Maggie resists being tied down, and Jamie is used to keeping emotions at arm's length, but their chemistry pushes both of them to rethink what they want. Maggie also faces a serious medical diagnosis, which complicates how they approach intimacy, commitment and care. The film follows the evolution of their bond as it grows messier and more honest, balancing sex, humor and real-world pressures without relying on neat romantic clichés. It alternates lighthearted moments with uncomfortable emotional truth and grace.

Edward Zwick directed the 2010 film, with a screenplay credited to Charles Randolph and Marshall Herskovitz. The story is adapted from Jamie Reidy's memoir Hard Sell, and the cast is led by Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway, notably among others.

The film performed solidly enough to be considered a commercial success, appealing to adult audiences with its mature romantic tone. It recouped its budget in theaters and drew additional viewers through home video and streaming platforms after release across markets.

Audiences and critics often note the palpable chemistry between Gyllenhaal and Hathaway and the film's candid depiction of sex within a romantic drama. It helped shift conversations about portraying illness on screen in rom-com contexts, and it marked a turning point in Hathaway's choice of adult roles and industry perception.

Critics gave mixed to generally favorable reviews, praising the lead performances while noting uneven tonal shifts between comedy and drama. The film raises questions about intimacy and commitment, and it doesn't shy away from critiquing the moral ambiguities of pharmaceutical marketing while showing how illness reshapes priorities in relationships today.