Funny Man Steve Carell Gets Serious For A Change

Movie audiences tired of the usual family drama full of hugs and constant affection would find “Dan In Real Life” a unique alternative. Yes, it is considered a “family drama,” but only because it centers around a widower trying to raise his three daughters the best he knows how, which usually leaves them hating and resenting him. Hugs and kisses are replaced by scowls and frowns in this family, which is much more realistic and fun to watch anyway.
           
The film, rated PG-13, was directed and co-written by Peter Hedges. Hedges also directed and wrote the screenplay for “Pieces of April,” another dysfunctional family drama. Hedges’ co-writer, Pierce Gardner, wrote the screenplay for “Lost Souls.”

The struggling widower, Dan Burns, is played by Steve Carell, who steps out of his usual comedy routine into the shoes of an advice columnist who cannot quite seem to follow his own advice when he mistakenly falls for his brother’s girlfriend. Laughter ensues, but for once the audience is not laughing with Carell, but at his expense.
           
Oscar-winner Dianne Wiest and John Mahoney star as Dan’s parents who host a get-together at their house where their family reunites. Among those on the guest list are Dan’s brother, Mitch, played by another resident comedian, Dane Cook, and his lovely girlfriend, Marie, played by Oscar-winner Juliette Binoche.
           
Upon arrival, Dan’s parents suggest he and his daughters spend some time apart for a while, so he takes a drive. In town, he meets and befriends Marie in a bookstore. Though she confesses she has a boyfriend, Dan still manages to get her phone number and assures her that he would even call her just to tell her he wouldn’t call again. Everything seems to finally be falling into place for Dan, until he learns Marie is spoken for by none other than his brother, Mitch.

The rest of the film finds Dan trying to hide his feelings for Marie from his family, while also trying to better understand and bond with his daughters. This leads to several complications for Dan, especially when one of his girls’ boyfriend shows up unannounced. Before Dan sends him home, he manages to leave Dan with some words of wisdom, which ends up being the best line in the whole film: “Love is not a feeling, Mr. Burns. It’s an ability.”

The performances of the main characters are not only heart-felt, but also believable. The chemistry between Carell and Binoche’s characters is obvious from their first scene together, and never seems to die down throughout the film. Steve Carell shines throughout the movie, but props must also be given to Dane Cook, who also seems to possess skills in more serious rolls. Who knew that two of the funniest actors today could also be serious sometimes?

Though this movie wasn’t action-packed with special effects around every corner, it is still one of the better movies that have been released this year because it has something in it for everyone. At only 98 minutes long, it doesn’t drag on forever and ever like most dramas do these days. So go see it soon, before it leaves Christiansburg’s movie theater.

If you still aren’t sure about seeing the movie, just do it for Dan; he definitely needs all the support he can get.