Dan in Real Life - 2007
*** Spoilers ahead - this is a POST movie watching review ***
Steve Carell's job in this movie is to underplay his character. From what I've seen of him, this isn't an easy task. As Dan Burns, though, Steve creates a character that is subdued from what we expect and shows some real acting craft.
In this romantic comedy, Dan Burns, a newspaper advice columnist, is raising three girls as a widower. Apparently, giving advice is far more easier than living the advice. The girls - at various stages of maturity - see their dad as a bit of a loser. After breaking up a budding romance happening in the life of the middle daughter ("You're a murderer of love.."), the family is off for a weekend with the extended family at a summer cabin in New England.
The movie is refreshingly different in its portrayal of this large family. It is not dysfunctional. It is not broken. It is not mean spirited. In fact it is overflowing with affection and love. I'm always ready to recognize the film that breaks the stereotypical mold and this is that. When Dan realizes that he is in love with his brother's girlfriend, it troubles him greatly and he sincerely tries to get beyond it.
Going back to Steve Carell's performance here, we get a character played with humility and restraint. We don't get Michael Scott from The Office (OK, maybe just bit out on the dance floor...). We feel Dan's heartache and frustration. You go into this movie thinking Michael Scott, you come out thinking Dan Burns. Obviously, Steve Carell won't have any trouble being typecast as Michael Scott when The Office comes to and end.
Juliette Binoche plays the love interest, Marie. Although we can see very early on that she is right for Dan and not the brother Mitch, she is much to conventional to switch sides overtly. Binoche is known for shying away from the big Hollywood blockbusters. And that is appropriate here. Although the movie has a big budget and a big cast, it steadfastly refuses to look like a big Hollywood movie. It feels like that small gem of a movie that only a few have discovered.
This is a movie about family and for family. There is no irony or hidden agenda. The family wins in the end.
Research the movie at Amazon here
No comments:
Post a Comment