(Dec. 22, 2010) — I’ve never been an avid fan of sappy romances, and rarely, if ever, become emotional while watching a movie. However, if a film of any genre leaves me deep in thought for at least a few hours, there’s a good chance it’s worth watching. Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal star in Love & Other Drugs, a romantic comedy set in Ohio in 1996. Gyllenhaal plays Jamie, a cocky, womanizing pharmaceutical rep who seems to get everything he wants, that is, until he meets Maggie (Hathaway), a staggeringly blunt and independent woman with Stage One Parkinson’s disease. Love & Other Drugs begins with somewhat of an overdone theme — the woman verbally delves into the man’s psyche, making it known that she’s onto all of his dirty motives and intentions. Though some elements of the plot are a bit cliché, the way the movie addresses Parkinson’s disease and other medical field-related issues, along with the acting, makes the movie memorable. Gyllenhaal and Hathaway have unmistakable chemistry and carry out their parts well. Sure, there are quite a few—perhaps even too many—shudder-inducing scenes, but I cannot help but appreciate the honesty and directness with which the movie addresses human sexuality. It ultimately conveys a strong message about love: it is a drug, and can calm even the worst “resting tremors,” as illustrated by one of the more intimate scenes. Hathaway’s portrayal of a Parkinson’s disease patient is especially remarkable in a particular scene where she attends a convention for those who suffer from Parkinson’s. The way her character seems to be fulfilled by the mere presence of other patients is inspiring and contributes to the theme of the film immensely. Simple but gripping moments like the convention scene are some of the most powerful elements of the movie. Love & Other Drugs approaches issues of medicine and romance with an openness that I found liberating. It subtly comments on drug and insurance companies, as well as doctors, in a way that urges its audience to consider facts and realize the stark realities of business. What softens the blow and eases movie watchers through the film is a generous dose of clever tongue-in-cheek humor which, despite its occasional perverseness, is a hit. The romance isn’t overly sugarcoated, and the portrayal of the disease is moving. Love & Other Drugs is, overall, a satisfying film (no pun intended).