(Prepared far far in advance. Away in Amsterdam.)
The danger in writing about 'Dan In Real Life' is that you will write 'It's a lovely little movie' over and over again, because it is. So why not just get that over with at the beginning? It is a lovely little movie after all, and it firmly and unequivocally belongs in my little box of post-Millennial movies that are actually good. It also slots neatly in to the very small set of movies featuring comedic actors in crossover roles, which so far is complete in 'Groundhog Day', 'The Truman Show', 'Stranger Than Fiction' and this movie. If you know of anymore please add a comment.
Where to begin? Very well, 'Dan In Real Life' is a romance / family drama with some comedic overtones. It's one of the few such movies I can stand to watch, and in part that's because of an unwavering sense of reality that's meshed deep into the fabric of what is ultimately a simple tale. It's so simple that it can be summarised by the following: "Widower single dad falls for woman, woman turns out to be his brother's new girlfriend, they end up together anyway."
This is potentially a futile post as I have no idea what it is I like about this film. Why do I cry at a romance at all? It's set in a big house where a massive extended family is having its annual meeting, which is not something I relate to, and it's all about love and its attendant messiness and the stressed relationships between the titular Dan and his three daughters. Maybe if we ignore the love story and concentrate on Dan himself it might become clearer. It's really much more a film about Dan than anyone else, a story of someone finding it within himself to not be afraid anymore and love again. With some naturalistic funny bits. It's not a comedy firstmost or secondmost, but a story. A simple story at that, but one with a magnificent cast, in a beautiful place, with great skill apparent at all technical levels, and a heart of gold at the core. Also, Sondre Lerche does a great job with the music. Check him out. He's only a little crazy.
It's strange how it works out. A film which could be overwhelmingly twee or sentimental instead holds its course enough to be comfortable and affecting. A potentially humdrum stressed family dynamic resolves into what could be a new beginning for all concerned. A potentially farcical Steve Carell movie turns out to be an understated character piece. Sometimes the pieces do align. I actually do get kind of bored in the story with his middle daughter but it feeds into the ending so it has to be there. Teen love? Love is for lesser mortals, those who don't have crumpets! Oh, love...
It's easy to become scared of life and love, especially it doesn't seem forthcoming. Just remember, it's not the case that you find love, but that love will find you if you're open to it. That's a nice thought, even if it is too sappy to be true. It's a good movie, with an excellent soundtrack and a massively winning performance from Carell, and one that sits very strangely in my movie collection. I suppose the answer to why I like it is obvious: It's nice to think that people can overcome their demons and be happy and even in love and loved. It's a nice thought. Until then, however, it's crumpets and swimming.
Love will find you!
O.
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