DAN IN REAL LIFE

Quicker than Jim Carrey did for his career in the 90's and perfectly timed after the disaster that was the grossly unfunny EVAN ALMIGHTY, Steve Carell gives a nuanced performance of real quality in DAN IN REAL LIFE, the terribly named but terrific romantic comedy that makes it's way to the U.K. this week. Carrell plays Dan, a lonely widower who writes a popular advice column for a newspaper but it's obvious he is having a hard time dealing with the problems in his own family. He's over-protective to his three daughters, blind to the fact that they are growing up all around him (he doesn't let his older daughter drive... his mid-teens daughter have a boyfriend... his youngest he doesn't believe is as smart as she really is). Carell and his daughters take trip to an annual big family weekend get together, the kind of one's where everybody is there... cousins, sisters, nephews... the whole lot in a beautiful house that can amazingly accommodate so many people. After the usual hello's, Dan goes out to get a paper and enjoy some alone time where a chance meeting occurs at a book store with the wonderfully sweet Marie (played by French actress Juliette Binoche) who Dan, like no doubt the male half of the paying audience are instantly infatuated with. Finally after so long, Dan has made a connection with someone and they spend a couple of hours talking to each other about their life, the kind of thing that strangers can only do in movies. Although Marie isn't single, after some persuasion Dan manages to get her phone number and he can't wait to get back to the cabin to tell all his family about this girl he met, when, oh shit... wouldn't ya know it. The person she is dating just happens to be his brother, played by Dane Cook... and we have just another reason to punch a guy after he managed to get it on with Jessica Alba in GOOD LUCK CHUCK. The plot of the film is then set. Dan must try and overcome his lust and passion for Marie in the presence of his whole family and daughters but he finds it increasingly difficult as he feels a genuine attraction to her, and Juliette seems to feel the same way. A chemistry is quite obvious, but neither of them want to upset Dan's brother, even though the relationship doesn't seem all that serious. I found DAN IN REAL LIFE to be a warm hearted and sweet romantic comedy that managed for the most part to stay away from the terrible cliches that normally rid these films and thank God they didn't go the obvious route and make this a festive set film. Grounded together with an unexpected lightening chemistry between Carrell and Binoche and almost a classic Jack Lemmon performance from Carell... the movie is a welcome slow burner from a genre that so often plays on slapstick and toilet humor jokes. It's just a good feel good movie that goes for the quiet option, very reminiscent of co-writer/director Peter Hedges previous scripted film ABOUT A BOY. Social awkwardness is where most of the humor here comes from and because there isn't long speeches about love... there is a relaxed nature to this movie and we can sit back and relax in their warm sweater wearing company. It's feels comfortable. It's nice wearing. Reminds you of hot chocolate. It's a genuine crowd pleaser that I was pleasantly surprised with.

rating: 3.5