So, lately, any film I've seen Dane Cook in, I haven't been much of a fan. And I realize that in a previous review I recommended that Dane Cook stick to his stand up, but he did a pretty good job in this film.
Steve Carell was my real motivation in seeing this film. That and the movie poster. Advertising is key to any film
Dan in Real Life wasn't quite what I was expecting. It's a clean, family, comedy about a widowed man (Carell) who falls in love for the first time since his wife's death. I found it incredibly moving, with comedy in all the right spots.
Was it predictable? Of course. Was it entertaining? Absolutely. The cast made me feel like they were actually a real family and that some how I was a part of their family. I was envious most of the time, wishing that my family acted like Dan's did. It did give me the feeling of a movie from last year, The Family Stone.
In reality all films can remind us of another one we've seen. A completely original idea is nearly impossible to come by and when you do most people don't like it. I don't know many people who wouldn't enjoy this film. It keeps your attention and you find yourself rooting for love.
This happy ending movie actually depressed me, as most romantic movies do. Mainly because it's frustrating at how easy they make love appear. People don't just approach someone they find attractive and attempt to woo them. A lot of times you might get a glance but no follow through. So these films always tend to give me false hope, however, the more I see, and the longer I live, I've come realize that movies are stories that we wish could happen to us in reality, but that never will.
However, if you've ever experienced a movie moment in your life and highly disagree with me, I envy you and hope to one day prove myself wrong. Dan in Real Life is a great film and will most definitely be a much anticipated addition to my DVD collection.