«Great movie for the Holidays with Family»
You know what this movie does is bring a little bit of "Real Life" to all families. I think anyone watching this movie could just see this happening in a big family. Though a little far-fetched, the family story is great and during a holiday season it is a perfect time to watch. How can you not enjoy Steve Carrell dancing? To keep this short I will just say that this movie is well worth watching for any Steve Carrell or toned down Dane Cook fan. Sit back eat popcorn and enjoy the film.
[Monday, November 24, 2008]
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«No "Pieces of April," but Peter Hedges' work is always worth your time»
While "Dan in Real Life" doesn't rank up there with writer/director Peter Hedges' masterpiece, Pieces of April, it's got the same feel and emotion. My only quibble here is that Steve Carell's Dan turns spiteful and angry halfway through saying some pretty hurtful things to "brother" Dane Cook at the Thanksgiving table. Dan becomes rather unlikeable. It seems a stretch that Juliet Binoche's character would remain attracted or at least intrigued.
Still, Hedges' fingerprints are all over the film in a masterful way. He brought the acting group together (save for Carell, who was busy filming 'The Office') to have them practice being a family unit. That shows - this feels like a family. I note that he brought together some superb NYC theater actors in his ensemble, most notably Dianne Wiest, Nobert Leo Butz and the incomparable Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone).
Also, his choice of Pete Townsend's underrated hit "Let My Love Open the Door" is wonderful. Carell unexpectedly turns it into an emotional, plaintive call with one additional chorus. It ends up being the turning point of the movie.
[Monday, November 17, 2008]
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«4.5 stars»
Dan Burns (Steve Carell) is a widower with three daughters, and during a family holiday, he meets Marie (Juliette Binoche) in a book store and is immediately smitten--the first time he's been interested in a woman since his wife died. Unfortunately, she turns out to be his brother Mitch's (Dane Cook) new girlfriend.
That's really the whole story--the romance between Dan and Marie, how they make it work out, and the family dynamics.
The Good:
There aren't any pat answers, though it's obvious to the viewer that Marie is better suited to Dan than to Mitch, but it's not as cut-and-dried as that. Marie and Mitch aren't horribly wrong for each other.
Likewise, when Dan realizes he's been neglecting his daughters in his preoccupation with Marie, the answer is neither that he should seek his fulfillment in fatherhood and forget about Marie, nor that he should devote himself to love and assume his daughters will come around eventually.
Like real life, it's messy, and the answers lie somewhere in the middle.
Also as in real life, the characters aren't perfect, though Dan's parents (Dianne Wiest and John Mahoney) come close.
The Bad:
The family as a whole is just a little too Norman Rockwell-ish to be believed. Among the family activities is a family talent show, for goodness sake.
The Verdict:
Some of the trappings may be exaggerated, but the emotions are honest and real. I especially appreciated the lack of oversimplified easy answers.
[Monday, November 17, 2008]
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