Dan in Real Life
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Movie Reviews of Dan in Real Life
Movie Review: "You are a murderer of love!"
Summary: 5 Stars
Steve Carell plays the title character; he's a widower with three daughters and writes an advice column named "Dan in Real Life." He has all the answers to his readers' difficult questions, but he's completely clueless as to how to put his own life back together after the death of his wife three years earlier. He's well-meaning but essentially failing as a father. During his family's annual get-together at his parents' gorgeous lake house in Rhode Island, he meets a charming woman (Juliette Binoche) who makes him consider love again. Unfortunately, for reasons that I won't reveal, he cannot be with her despite their mutual attraction. Will he take a risk or continue to avoid life?
I vaguely recall when "Dan in Real Life" was released in theaters - mostly I remember the annoying poster of Steve Carell resting his head on pancakes that made the movie look like another over-the-top comedy. I had no interest in seeing the film at the time; however, "Dan in Real Life" is actually a sweet, gentle movie that's also filled with some nice quirks. Steve Carell's ironic humor is put to perfect use, and he's surrounded by a terrific supporting cast, including John Mahoney and Dianne Wiest. The talented Norwegian musician, Sondre Lerche, wrote and performed most of the music, which provides the perfect tone for scene after scene. The film was a genuine surprise - most highly recommended.
Movie Review: One of the best comedies of the year!
Summary: 5 Stars
Loved this movie. In a year where there were a ton of bleak and depressing movies, such as No Country For Old Men, There Will Be Blood, Atonement, Eastern Promises, American Gangster, etc., along comes a pick-me-up movie called Dan In Real Life. Unlike the Amazon reviewer, I felt there was incredible chemistry between Steve Carell and Juliette Binoche. Carell's performance was truly inspiring....it ranged from the dramatic to the comedic. (How many actors can do that all in one film?) I liked his performance in Little Miss Sunshine, but he tops himself here. In some ways, Carell reminded me of Woody Allen's performances in Play It Again Sam and Annie Hall--a bumbling, awkward grownup who does not have a way with women. For example, after Carell meets Binoche for the first time, even he admits that it was a silly thing for him to say: "I'll call you to tell you that I'm not calling you." What can I say about Juliette Binoche? She has never been lovelier. She is our modern day Ingrid Bergman. There were so many scenes in this movie that I enjoyed--especially the scenes where Carell keeps getting stopped by the cop, the dinner table scene, and the scenes that involved Emily Blunt or pig-face. For a contemporary Hollywood comedy, this film came as close as any to showing what love really is like. Highly recommended.Movie Review: Real Life in 'Dan In Real Life'
Summary: 5 Stars
Peter Hedges, writer and director, creates three chilly Fall days seaside brimming with the annual Burns family gathering(of 19 or so people) in a classic East Coast cedar shingle "cottage"(which is a character in itself). The presenting situation is believable, complex, and real. Hedges' characters are immediately dimensional, and the plot complications and movement are unique, witty, and funny.
Dan, a widower and father of 3 daughters, is played by Steve Carrell who, in this film, comes into his own as an actor --he's not only funny, but he's brooding, sexy, and multi-faceted.
Each adult member of the family --Dan's parents and 3 siblings and 2 sibling-spouses-- come alive, as do Dan's daughters --an amazing feat given the sheer number of players. Juliette Binoche, as a love interest, is also a perfect fit; she's warm and sexy and ADULT (a rare treat in films these days).
The original music by Sondre Lerche underscores (pun intended) but neither overwhelms nor dilutes the interaction.
Of the many brilliant scenes, a couple of my favorite are with the blind date, Ruthie Draper, and the final scene in which we see Sondre Lerche and his band.
Movie Review: Very Well Done
Summary: 5 Stars
Steve Carrell has really come on as an actor, and is much more than The Daily Show and even The Office, where he is wonderfully awkward. He is able to bring charm to any role and in Dan In Real Life he branches out more into more dramatic roles.
The story is familiar, a family gathering, and it has been done so often, particularly with the conflict at the get together, that it would be easy to pass this up. But it works remarkably well in this low key movie.
He plays a widowerer with three young girls and through a chance meeting at a book store, he meets his brother's girlfriend and is instantaly atrracted.
The story develops from there and the dynamics across the board are portayed so well from all in the cast that you really care about every charactor and how they interact. There is humor and tears while people learn more about themselves and those around them.
Truly one of the best films I have seen in this rather typical storyline that works out pretty atypically when put together. Scenes that could be corny or over the top really do not cross into the territory for the most part.
Well directed and acted.
Movie Review: One of my favorite movies of last year
Summary: 5 Stars
Even if I wasn't a big Steve Carell fan, I would have still loved this movie. Having him in it AND it being great, well, you just can't get any better than that. Steve Carell is a hilarious guy. But the side we seldom get to see of him is the vulnerable, heart-felt man like he plays in "Dan in Real Life." This is the sweet, realistic guy who could live down the street from you. And he's fantastic at it. Carell is equally talented at portraying 40-year-old virgins and horrible bosses as he is at playing widowed dads.
This is a delightful movie that has a different spin on the traditional love story. One of the reviewers (Chris Pandolfi) said, "Here's a film that shows just how unexpected, irregular, and confusing love can be, both in terms of family and romantic interests." Honestly, I couldn't agree more--or have said it better myself. There's nothing really new about love stories; it's just how we interpret it. Both the writing and especially the acting and chemistry of a great cast make this a love story worth watching. And, in my case, watching over and over.