FamilyFans Movies
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DAN IN REAL LIFE (PG-13)
Plot Summary: When a widower finds out that the woman he has a crush on is his brother’s new girlfriend, everything in his life becomes significantly more complicated.
Reason for the Rating: Some innuendo.
Steve Carell, known to most people for the hilarious comic roles he plays both on TV and in the movies, seems to be the latest in a long line of comedians trying to break out of their usual mold and break into a movie that shows they’re more than just funny guys. For some comics, this type of move means an Oscar. For others, it means career disaster. With his new movie, Dan in Real Life, Carell’s attempt at the dramatic side of filmdom seems to mean something in between these extremes. It’s not the type of movie that requires a staggering dramatic performance, but it is heartwarming and emotional. At any rate, it’s nowhere near the outrageous comedy that the commercials advertising it would have you believe. Those tricky marketing executives. Who says audiences don’t want to see Carell in something that’s not hilarious?
I suppose the answer to that question, and many others, will be better answered after reviewing this movie than before doing so.
Carell plays the part of Dan, a widower and father of three girls who writes advice columns for a living. As you might expect—or maybe even secretly already suspect of real-life advice columnists—his personal life doesn’t quite live up to the level of togetherness exuded by his columns. He does his best, but he could learn a lot from his own advice, and this becomes crystal clear as he and his daughters head off for an extended vacation with his side of the family. Here, amidst the craziness and close-knit fun of nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters, in-laws and—of course—his parents, Dan learns that he’s got a lot to learn about life.
This
message comes to him through difficulties with his daughters—dating, driving,
and general caretaking issues arise—but mostly it comes to him through
difficulties with Marie (Juliette Binoche), a woman he meets on his first day of
vacation. From the moment he encounters her in the small town bookstore near his
parents’, house, Dan is smitten. He and Marie share a long conversation, and it
seems she is a bit smitten as well, until she has to rush off to be with her
previously unmentioned significant other. Dan is disappointed but still has a
glimmer of hope, that is, until he heads back home and realizes that Marie’s
significant other just happens to be his brother Mitch (Dane Cook) and that
Marie is planning on staying with the family throughout the entire vacation.
Obviously, this is not going to be an easy time for Dan.
What follows is a predictable series of sticky situations in which Dan tries to deal with his attraction to Marie, his relationships with his family members and his interactions with his daughters. It’s a somewhat entertaining plot, but it’s not going to knock your socks off. It’s too predictable and non-unique. Though the acting is good and the overarching themes about the importance of family and honesty are positive, this movie lacks that special something to make it stand out. At best, Dan in Real Life is a feel-good movie that will most likely make you laugh a little and maybe even think a little. At worst, it’s disappointing. I guess I’m not surprised that Carell is trying to move beyond his funnyman status; I just didn’t expect this to be the movie in which he made his move. To be honest, I went to this film expecting to be given a comedy and instead was given a romantic comedy. To some, this is splitting hairs, but to me it means more. The way I see it, adding romance inevitably means taking away some of the comedy. And that, to me, is not the best trade.
But
what does all this say about Carell? Can he carry a more serious movie? Will
audiences give him some dramatic credibility after this role? The answer, I
think, is a solid maybe. In the end, I think Carell did a good job in this film,
but this wasn’t a meaty enough role for him to shine. The one thing he did prove
is that he has definite potential as a dramatic actor. Perhaps, though, a
romantic comedy isn’t enough to let us know one way or the other..
FAMILYFANS RECOMMENDS:
This is a cute movie, but not necessarily worth theater prices. Save it for a cozy night at home..
AFTER THE SHOW:
• Do you think Dan is a good father overall? Why or Why not? What qualities do you think good parents should have?
• What does this movie have to say about the importance of family? What does the Bible have to say about this same issue?
• Why do you think honesty is so important in relationships, and how does the movie illustrate this point?
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