February is “Opulence” month at BW/DR and we’re at the juncture of maximalism and mid-century modern, tackling Peyton Reed’s 2003 rom-com Down With Love. Joining us is editor-in-chief of Fran Magazine, writer and OG Bright Waller Fran Hoepfner. We talk about the calculus of comedy, homage vs. parody, “high concept” romance, the David Hyde Pierce of it all, whether Pillow Talk sucks, and what goes into crafting Jacques Demy-style feel-gooderie for the new millennium.

If you want to read some of what we reference, check out these interviews with actor Sarah Paulson, costume designer Daniel Orlandi, and set decorator Don Diers.

The Bright Wall/Dark Room Podcast is co-hosted by Veronica Fitzpatrick and Chad Perman and produced and edited by Eli Sands. Chad Perman composed our theme.

You can find all 100+ issues of Bright Wall/Dark Room, including our current issue, at brightwalldarkroom.com. We’re on Twitter @BWDR, and now also @TheBWDRPodcast, and the best way to widen our pod’s reach is to support us on Patreon! We also welcome listener feedback and sponsorship inquiries at [email protected]. Thanks for listening, lovers.