Reviews

Dan in Real Life
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There’s something about Steve Carell that makes me laugh and laugh and laugh - it’s no surprise he is considered one of the funniest men alive. In NBC’s version of The Office, he plays the obnoxious, foot-in-mouth-afflicted, cringe-worthy Michael Scott. Hilarious! In The 40-Year-Old Virgin he was an absolute riot (remember the chest waxing scene? Ouch!) And yet, there’s that other side to Steve Carell, like the one we saw in Little Miss Sunshine. This brilliant movie is sure-fire proof that Carrell does the serious as well as the funny. And it’s this side that we see in Dan in Real Life (as well as a bit of the funny).

Starring Steve Carell and Juliette Binoche, Dan in Real Life is about a guy called (yeah, you guessed it) Dan, who is a writer, a widower and father of three girls. There’s an infinite sense of sadness about him – as if life has dealt him one too many cruel blows. The story begins as Dan prepares his kids for a family trip to his parents’ home. Keep in mind, however, that two of the girls are in their teens. Throw hormones and teenage angst into the mix and you can well imagine how happy they are being dragged off to meet up with the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. By the time they arrive at the family home, nerves are frayed and everyone is in serious need of a time-out. The next morning, Dan’s mom hustles him out of the house to buy a newspaper. He’s at the local bookshop when in walks a beautiful woman with an alluring French accent – Marie (Juliette Binoche). They strike up a conversation and really hit it off. As her and Dan share a muffin and coffee a little later, they chat as if they’ve known each other for years, and there is definite chemistry. Ooh-la-la! Marie is the first woman Dan’s been really interested since his wife’s death and so before she has to rush off to another engagement, he asks for her phone number. Driving back to the family with his head in the clouds, he finds himself feeling hopeful for the first time in ages. But as is Murphy’s Law, Fate steps in and things go pear-shaped.

Described as a ‘comedy-drama’, Dan in Real Life is a story about the importance of not giving up on the search for happiness and love, and reminds us that it doesn’t always happen that way we’d like it to. It’s a really great story filled with family dynamics… lots of funny moments… a few serious moments… and complimented by a great cast. A simplistic yet heartfelt soundtrack (courtesy of Norwegian singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche) is the cherry on top. Directed by Peter Hedges (who wrote What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and About a Boy), Dan in Real Life definitely worth watching.

Nicola-Jane Ford is a 30-year old ‘chick’ who is the proud guardian of a fabulous cat and many pairs of equally fabulous shoes. She lives in (gorgeous) Cape Town and supports her love of red wine by working as a copywriter. She is the Assistant Reviews Editor here at All Things Girl

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