Dan in Real Life - B

In Theatres. 98 minutes. PG-13. Trailer.

Dan in Real Life overcomes the formulas and occasional cheesy scene to be the rare romantic comedy that has real moments of resonance. That said, the galling propensity for comedic films to invoke a “children-know-best” ethic is again demonstrated here. Steve Carell, showing once more his comedic versatility and range, stars as Dan Burns, a widower and father of three girls. He and his daughters (seventeen, fourteen, and ten) meet up with their family in a New England cabin for a mini-reunion with his parents and siblings. The first morning Dan meets Marie (a still radiant Juliette Binoche) at a book store in town and they click. When he tries to get her number, she confesses she’s just started a relationship but gives up the digits to “finish the conversation”. Dan is still beaming from this chance encounter when his brother (Dane Cook) introduces Marie to Dan as his new girlfriend. The scene that follows is laugh out-loud funny even as it is painfully uncomfortable. The balance of the film deals with the inevitable uncomfortable scenarios as Dan alternately tries to woo Marie and do right by his brother.

This film works quite a bit better than it should thanks in no small part to the excellent cast. Carell here brings touches of the sadness and humanity he displayed in Little Miss Sunshine, while also displaying a charming, witty side heretofore untapped on the big (or small) screen. Binoche is excellent if slumming a bit. My guess is the American films pay a tad better than her usual serious French films. Dane Cook (from Jessica Alba to Juliette Binoche in the same year. Odd), who I find pretty funny in some roles, is more subdued and understated than usual. A plus. Playing the patriarch is John Mulroney, who is consistently wonderful if the same basic character in everything he does. Dan’s three daughters are annoying for the reason I stated earlier, but do what they can with the roles. More than any of these characters, though, is the way this films just captures the awkwardness, inside jokes, and claustrophobia of big families crammed into small quarters. Everyone knows everyone else’s business and brother-in-laws are a bit too quick to chime in with their opinions on personal lives. This film is written and directed by Peter Hedges, who also wrote or co-wrote What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, About and Boy, and Pieces of April. Overall, an honestly funny movie that doesn’t take shortcuts to belly laughs, even if it does to love. B