04 Jan

Dan in Real Life

Lissa Coffey

Lissa Coffey

Lissa Coffey

Grade: A-

Steve Carell stars in the title role in “Dan in Real Life,” an adult romantic comedy, emphasis on the comedy.  This is not a teen comedy, with bathroom jokes and lowball humor.  This one is smart, and witty and sweet and off-beat all at the same time.  Dan is a widower, on a weekend visit to the parents lake home with his whole family – brothers, sisters, assorted nieces and nephews and his 3 daughters.  Many of the laughs come from daughter number 2, a typical drama queen teen in love.  Juliette Binoche plays Marie, Dan’s love interest, who also happens to be his brother’s girlfriend.  A nice little conflict that plays on different levels.

The audience was a mix of date night couples and older teens who are Steve Carell fans.  The movie actually got applause at the end.  I loved it!  No sex scenes, no violence, no swearing, just lots of good writing and acting – quite refreshing!

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