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Movie Description
Just as LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE did in 2006, DAN IN REAL LIFE reveals that Steve Carell is an actor who can do more than just comedy. He's won both accolades and awards as bumbling boss Michael Scott on THE OFFICE, but there's a greater depth to this performance as a single father and man in love. Advice columnist Dan Burns (Carell) has his hands full with three daughters that he's not willing to let grow up. The girls still grieve for their mother who died four years ago, and Dan hasn't made any attempts to date. So he's pleasantly surprised when he meets Marie (Juliette Binoche) at a bookstore when he goes to his parents' Rhode Island home for the annual family reunion. But his joy is short-lived when he discovers that she is dating his brother (Dane Cook), forcing Dan to hide his feelings and chemistry with Marie.
Carell adeptly balances his role's humor and heartache, while Binoche (CHOCOLAT) is radiant as ever. Comedian Cook (GOOD LUCK CHUCK) shows surprising talent as the third leg of their love triangle. Through his duties as director and co-screenwriter, Peter Hedges deserves much of the credit for creating a film that is sweet without being sappy. Even though he's working with a far bigger budget than he did for his directorial debut, PIECES OF APRIL, he still maintains the feelings of intimacy and honesty that made that film such a critical favorite. What could have been a standard romantic comedy of errors turns into a strong film that goes deeper than many of its peers in the genre. DAN IN REAL LIFE also succeeds thanks to its soundtrack from Norwegian indie pop musician Sondre Lerche. The singer's compositions, both originals and favorites from his career, perfectly suit the film's tone and moods.
Industry Reviews
3 stars out of 4 -- "[B]lissfully funny and touching....Its characters manage to be romantic, hilarious and recognizably human at the same time."
Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (11/01/2007)
"DAN IN REAL LIFE is a comedy of faith, that, in its wised-up feel-good way, restores yours." -- Grade: A-
Entertainment Weekly - Owen Gleiberman (11/02/2007)
4 stars out of 5 -- "Touching, tender and laugh-out-loud funny, this little rom-com will melt your heart..."
Total Film - Jamie Russell (01/01/2008)
"[A] star-driven sophisticated romantic comedy....DAN offers the most pleasing kind of unforced charm as it uses a terrific plot device to examine the conflicts between family and romance as well as the joy and pain of being in love."
Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan (10/26/2007)
3 stars out of 5 -- "With touches of classic Wood Allen....Carell subtly evokes the stretched nerves of a man with nowhere to turn."
Empire - Ian Nathan (02/01/2008)
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