Dan in Real Life (imdb)
Dan Burns (Steve Carell) is an advice columnist and a model father. Ever since he tragically lost his wife, he’s devoted all his energy to his three daughters never allowing himself the time to mend his broken heart. That is until he meets Marie (Juliette Binoche) at a bookstore while visiting his parents for a family reunion. But, as we all know, love doesn’t bloom without a few rainy days in between. As luck would have it, Marie is actually dating Dan’s brother, Mitch (Dane Cook), and most of the movie is devoted to how Dan responds to this development.
“Dan in Real Life” is a pretty good movie as far as formulaic, emotionally manipulative romantic comedies go.The movie is well casted with Steve Carrel, Juliette Brioche, and Dane Cook all looking perfectly suited for their roles.
Unfortunately, the movie seems to be unsure of whether to tread more on the side of romance or comedy. While Steve Carell has moments where his dramatic talents emerge, there are a few too many scenes that leave you with that distinct Michael Scott (The Office) feeling. For example, when Dan dances with a blind date in hopes of making Marie jealous or when Dan bumbles a dinner table conversation and leaves family members speechless with his awkward, inappropriateness. These occasionally hilarious situations seem out of place in a movie in which is not quite a knee slapper but more an aww-and-chuckle kind of film.
Now these slightly uneven scenes might just be chalked up to Steve Carell being Steve Carell, but it is a theme throughout the performances of various members in the movie. Dane Cook, in certain scenes, evokes a little too much of that patented Dane Cook humor - usually in scenes where he decides to sing. The girls cast as Dan Burns’ daughters each serves as a different in movie device. The youngest to garner “awws” from the audience. The adolescent, middle daughter to serve as comic relief through her absolutely overblown stereotype of a lovesick middle schooler. And, the oldest serving in a swing capacity sometimes stereotyping a high schooler and sometimes providing a partner for a poignant father-daughter scene.
All-in-all, it’s nice to see Steve Carell do a movie that is so much better than “Evan Almighty” and also give us a glimpse of his potential as an actor. The movie does take a somewhat disjointed approach towards the romantic comedy idea - trying at times to be angsty and emotional and at other times to be a satirical comedy rather than blending the two. But, it is ultimately a pretty fun watch and has its share of touching moments. Well, once you get over the fact that Dan Burns is actually trying to steal his brother’s girlfriend.
3 lovesick teenagers out of 5
Leave a Reply