Review of Dan in Real Life (2007) by Lindsay — 11 Aug 2010

Dear Reviewer:

Steve Carell is a likeable everyman whose hilarious shtick works best in organic productions that concentrate on awkward but identifiable situations (TV's The Office, Little Miss Sunshine) as opposed to big-budget spectacles that shill low comedy (Evan Almighty). What happens then when one of these low-budget efforts finds humor somewhere in the middle?

Sincerely, Reader.

Dear Reader:

Quite simply, one gets the predictable but high-spirited indie comedy Dan in Real Life, in which a recently widowed advice columnist and father of three (Carell) finds difficulty following his own words of wisdom when he falls in love with his brother's (Cook) girlfriend (Juliette Binoche) while on vacation with his parents and siblings.

Carell pulls this sad sack act off in spades, which stands testament to why actors should occasionally shuck a paycheck and embrace a gig that fits them like a glove. In fact, the whole family unit in this picture rings completely true in terms of looking AND acting the part. Also, predictability aside, the story has a subdued wit that that tends to sneak up and bowl the audience over with laughs. For better or worse, however, marketing has a great deal to do with how a film is both approached and perceived. Due in no small part to Carell, this indie has already been presented as a shiny 'H'Wood' laugh-riot as opposed to the unpolished, heartfelt, comedic character piece it actually is. This may prove off-putting to those expecting Almighty piffle.

Sincerely, Reviewer.

Bottom line: Real average.