Down with Love

In the vibrant cityscape of New York, Barbara Novak (Renée Zellweger) bursts onto the scene at Banner House, armed with a revolutionary manifesto titled Down with Love. This provocative tome aims to liberate women from the shackles of romantic entanglements, empowering them to indulge in sensual pleasures without emotional strings attached. According to Barbara's philosophy, by eschewing traditional relationships and replacing men with tantalizing treats like chocolate, women can achieve greater autonomy and equality in both personal and professional spheres.

Despite her bold vision, the men behind Banner House prove unenthusiastic about supporting her work. Vikki Hiller (character), Barbara's editor, is forced to think outside the box to promote the book, ultimately proposing a meeting with Catcher Block (Ewan McGregor), a charming and charismatic writer for Know magazine, notorious for his womanizing ways.

Catcher, however, proves elusive, consistently postponing their dates until Barbara reaches her breaking point, unleashing a stinging rebuke that sends him packing. Meanwhile, Vikki finds herself drawn to Peter MacMannus, Catcher's boss and closest friend, but their budding romance is forever intertwined with the star-crossed stories of Barbara and Catcher.

As Down with Love gains traction, thanks in part to Vikki's promotional genius and a memorable performance by Judy Garland on The Ed Sullivan Show, Barbara becomes an unlikely celebrity. Her message resonates with women worldwide, who flock to buy the book and reclaim their independence from men. Catcher, now smitten with Barbara, tries to make amends but is met with rejection.

The tension finally boils over when Barbara appears on a national TV program, dissecting a chapter from Down with Love titled "The Worst Kind of Man" and casting Catcher as the quintessential example. His date promptly dumps him, leaving him fuming. Determined to prove Barbara wrong, Catcher vows to demonstrate that she's just like every other woman, craving the same things men do.

In this charged atmosphere, the fate of Barbara's manifesto hangs precariously in the balance, as her personal and professional lives become inextricably linked with those of her adversaries. Will her vision for a world free from love and commitment ultimately prevail, or will the forces of tradition and conformity prevail?

In a clever ruse, "Zip" Martin (Major) sets the stage at a dry cleaner shop, masquerading as an astronaut while Barbara Novak remains oblivious to his true identity. This chance encounter allows him to present himself as attentive and polite, striking up an instant connection with her that contrasts sharply with the men who now view her as the enemy following the publication of her book.

As their relationship unfolds, "Zip" takes Barbara on a whirlwind tour of New York's most fashionable hotspots, expertly maintaining a palpable sexual tension by feigning naivete and a desire to remain chaste until he's "ready" for a physical connection. However, as the days go by, he finds himself genuinely smitten with her, making it increasingly difficult to execute his original plan.

The facade is almost shattered at a high-society gathering when Barbara confronts him about his true identity. Instead of revealing the truth, "Zip" concocts an elaborate scheme, claiming that Catcher Block wishes to interview him for an expose on NASA's space program and inviting Barbara to join him. As they settle into his apartment, he sets up a trap designed to capture her confessing her love for him. However, it is Barbara who ultimately drops the bombshell: she knew all along that "Zip" was actually Catcher Block, but she had also been lying – her name isn't Barbara Novak; she's Nancy Brown, a former secretary of Catcher's who harbored a deep affection for him.

Nancy reveals that she orchestrated this elaborate deception to be different from the countless women in Catcher's life and thereby win his heart. As they confront the reality of their situation, both parties realize that Catcher genuinely loves Nancy. Just as he proposes, one of his numerous lovers appears, expressing gratitude to Barbara for her role in empowering womankind. This unexpected twist prompts Nancy to reevaluate her feelings and desires, ultimately concluding that she's become a true "down with love" individual.

Meanwhile, Vikki and Peter's relationship undergoes a significant transformation when Vikki insults him for aiding Catcher. This wake-up call prompts Peter to recognize the truth: he is indeed like any other man. In a bold move, he takes Vikki to Catcher's apartment, poised to take their relationship to new heights.

As the days turn into weeks, Catcher finds himself mired in despondency, his valiant efforts to win Barbara back having been met with resounding failure. The once-promising expose now lies in tatters, its potency sapped by Barbara's own account of their tumultuous affair, which she has published in her magazine. Meanwhile, Peter too is grappling with the bleak reality of his relationship with Vikki, reduced to little more than a fleeting physical connection devoid of emotional substance.

In this state of despair, Catcher seizes upon an idea, pouring his emotions into a new expose that chronicles the transformative power of love. With renewed purpose, he sets out to share his story with Barbara Novak herself, scheduling an interview at her magazine, Now. As they sit down to discuss the intricacies of his journey, it becomes clear that Barbara is deeply moved by Catcher's words, yet ultimately decides against rekindling their romance.

Undeterred, Catcher exits her office, resigning himself to the fact that Barbara will not be pursuing him. However, as fate would have it, she surprises him on the elevator, unveiling a stunning new hairstyle - a vibrant red locks that perfectly capture the essence of her signature blend: somewhere between a blonde and a brunette. It is clear that Barbara has finally found the harmony she had been seeking, and with this newfound balance, she sets her sights on reuniting with Catcher.

As they board a plane to Las Vegas, it becomes apparent that their love story will have far-reaching consequences for those around them. Peter and Vikki, inspired by the couple's devotion, decide to take the leap and tie the knot as well. In the end credits, we see the happy couple celebrating their marriage with a new book aimed at bridging the divide between men and women, symbolizing their triumph over adversity. The film concludes on a hopeful note, as Catcher and Barbara harmonize in song, their voices blending together in perfect harmony as they sing "Here's To Love".