http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/27/DAN-IN-REAL-LIFE-Real-Life-Real-Laughs.aspx Beware fans of Steve Carell. If you loved him in THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN or ANCHORMAN, you probably won’t be so excited about seeing DAN IN REAL LIFE. If you loved LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, then go buy your tickets now. Obviously, the two teenage boys sitting in the back of my theatre were of the VIRGIN variety. I’ve never had the urge to throw things at people during a movie, but these kids were about to get a bag of Twizzlers in the face. Audience members aside, DAN IN REAL LIFE is an excellent example of why Steve Carell--in my opinion--is a bit of a genius. DAN is a great balance of laugh-out-loud hilarity as well as tissue-grabbing honesty, and Carell handles both incredibly well. Carell stars as Dan Burns, a widower and father to three girls. Jane (Alison Pill), the oldest, is subdued and desperately ready to drive. Cara (Brittany Robertson) is overly dramatic and a bit too involved in the boy she’s know for three weeks. Lilly (Marlene Lawston) is the youngest, the cutest, and possibly the smartest of the three. Dan’s wife has been gone for four years, and his entire family is ready for him to move on. During a traditional weekend spent at his parent’s vacation home, Dan meets Marie (Juliette Binoche), possibly the woman of his dreams, who turns out to be dating his brother Mitch (Dane Cook). Just as in most romantic comedies, it is glaringly obvious Mitch and Marie make a horrible match. Mitch is an exercise guru who loves fast cars and usually fast women. Marie is a world traveler who’s quiet and extremely intelligent. Dan falls for her in one afternoon over tea and a huge muffin, but they’re both crest-fallen at their predicament. What makes DAN IN REAL LIFE different from most other rom-coms is that the meant-to-be couple knows they are meant to be. They aren't hiding secrets from each other; they're hiding from the rest of the family. en-US Critics Rant info@criticsrant.com Subtext Version 1.9.4.0 http://www.criticsrant.com/images/default_gravatar_bullhorn.png http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/27/DAN-IN-REAL-LIFE-Real-Life-Real-Laughs.aspx 77 60 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/27/DAN-IN-REAL-LIFE-Real-Life-Real-Laughs.aspx#1954 looks funny tinkluvspan http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/10/27/DAN-IN-REAL-LIFE-Real-Life-Real-Laughs.aspx#1954 Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:11:49 GMT