I haven't seen the film, but I have read the book.
The book? Yes, 'Love and Other Drugs' is based on a true story, a book written by Jamie Reidy, called 'Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman'.
But Maggie isn't in there. She must have been added at some stage of the Hollywood process.
The original story is certainly lacking in romantic interest (it's about Jamie's rather underwhelming career in pharmaceutical sales and how he managed to do Very Little Work Indeed; it also touches upon the cynicism of the big pharmaceutical companies). I can see why the studio needed to add a girlfriend - what intrigues me is what the decision process was in giving the poor lass Young Onset Parkinson's.
I did review the book on my blog, www.bloggingwithparkinsons.wordpress.com. A direct link to the pertinent post is here: http://bloggingwithparkinsons.wordpress.com/2011/01/19/hard-sell-the-evolution-of-a-viagra-salesman/
I went to see the film last week with the friend I first told about my Parkinson's diagnosis three-years ago. I found the most moving scenes were when Maggie (Ann Hathaway) sits on the floor sobbing with frustration at the effects of living with the condition; and during the 'Unconvention' where people talked about their reactions to living with Parkinson's. Haven't we all, when asked what we want for our birthday/christmas, said "A new brain please"? (yes the punchline was corney, but it made me smile).
Some of the promotional material for the film was misleading though. One advert described Hathaway as having 'a secret that would test their relationship'. She doesn't, the first time Gyllenhaal meets her he finds out she's got Parkinson's (it doesn't put him off pursuing her). Another read something like 'she has a life-threataning illness'. But, hey I guess that's what would sells films!
For me there was a balance between showing what it's like living with Parkinson's and getting on with life - and Hathaway managed to convey this without too much melodrama. I'd recommend it, but on DVD.
djemm
Some of the promotional material for the film was misleading though. One advert described Hathaway as having 'a secret that would test their relationship'. She doesn't, the first time Gyllenhaal meets her he finds out she's got Parkinson's (it doesn't put him off pursuing her). Another read something like 'she has a life-threataning illness'. But, hey I guess that's what would sells films!
For me there was a balance between showing what it's like living with Parkinson's and getting on with life - and Hathaway managed to convey this without too much melodrama. I'd recommend it, but on DVD.
djemm
Hi Megan
I have heard about the film and will certainly go to see it when it comes to my area.
I have had Parkinsons for 6 years and l am just turned 62 years of age.These past few months have been the hardest, almost overnight my legs do not seem to want to move and l find myself taking really small steps and it is exhausting me.
Things like just general housework etc take so long as l also find turning and moving from the spot difficult. Up until then l felt l was one step ahead and could cope but not being able to walk is depressing me so much-then there is the weight gain and that l find really hard to live with,
I see my neurologist in March and pray he can help me.
take care
Mavis xx
I have heard about the film and will certainly go to see it when it comes to my area.
I have had Parkinsons for 6 years and l am just turned 62 years of age.These past few months have been the hardest, almost overnight my legs do not seem to want to move and l find myself taking really small steps and it is exhausting me.
Things like just general housework etc take so long as l also find turning and moving from the spot difficult. Up until then l felt l was one step ahead and could cope but not being able to walk is depressing me so much-then there is the weight gain and that l find really hard to live with,
I see my neurologist in March and pray he can help me.
take care
Mavis xx
It's a decent film almost as much about the guy's career in the drugs industry as it is about the woman's experience with the condition.
It gets a bit gloomy around the middle section but ends on an upbeat note without cheating the audience.
It does rather give the impression parkinsons sufferers are nympomaniacs though!
It gets a bit gloomy around the middle section but ends on an upbeat note without cheating the audience.
It does rather give the impression parkinsons sufferers are nympomaniacs though!