Down to You MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -1 1/2

This romantic comedy about two very appealing college students may be this year's Valentine date movie. At a popular bar near their New York City college, sophomore Al (Freddie Prinze, Jr.) meets freshman Imogen (Julia Stiles) who dazzles him with her beautiful smile. Compared to his sex-obsessed buddies, Al is reserved while Imogen is more spontaneous. Their initial dating blossoms into a full-blown romance, but after a summer away from Al, Imogen realizes she is not ready for a lifetime commitment. Their relationship becomes strained, and eventually they break up. The film follows their romance through its rugged course, but some of the best scenes are with Al's charming, funny father (Henry Winkler), a famous TV chef. DOWN TO YOU will appeal primarily to teenagers, but anyone who remembers their first love will find much to smile about. Don't expect a laugh-out-loud comedy -- it's more like cotton candy than a box of chocolates.

Al and Imogen become sexually involved after three months of dating, and many scenes of them in bed indicate they live together in the dorm. Waiting that long to become intimate makes the couple something of a novelty among their friends. Al's buddies often discuss their conquests, often embellished, and some of their comments are fairly explicit. There is no on-screen sex, but it is implied many times. A couple dropping to the floor between stacks in a bookstore, suggestive dancing at a party, and one of Al's friends admitting he had sex with a 60-year-old woman imply that a casual attitude about sex is universal. Both Al and Imogen, however, are forced to face consequences when she suspects shes pregnant. At parties, students drink heavily and drug use is also implied. In one scene, Imogen is shown how to inhale drugs. After their break-up, Al begins drinking heavily in his apartment, withdraws from his friends and even drinks a bottle of shampoo. Five obscenities and three regular profanities are unfortunate, but DOWN TO YOU disappoints us most with students into drugs, alcohol and casual sex.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Miramax Films, 375 Greenwich, NY, NY 10013