Dan in Real Life (2007)

[K1stpierre]

Discuss

[Goffe]

the film works when it focuses on Carrel (great as always), living his lonely and sad life and his relationship with Marie (they have great chemistry). His problems with his daughters should have taken way less screen time and the trip to his parent's house should have been just one act, not the whole movie. The humor is very uneven, some of it is very sweet and natural, some of it is borderline awful, of really bad taste. 60/100

[baumer]

Dan has had a difficult time dealing with his wife's death, but has done the best he can because of his three daughters (the oldest is 17). On a trip to visit with his extended family, Dan meets Marie in a bookshop, and seriously connects with her: for the first time, he feels hope that he might love again. It turns out that Marie is also at the family get together, as the girlfriend of Dan's younger brother Matt.

This romantic comedy is actually pretty funny, and all without resorting to the crassness which is all too prevalent in modern comedies. Steve Carell gives a touching and rounded performance, Juliet Binoche is both attractive and mousily ordinary as Marie, and all the supporting cast do exactly what they are meant to - support.

I enjoyed this film a great deal.

 

8.5/10