CLEMENTINE'S REVIEWS

1st December 2008
Dan in Real Life (2007)

Writer: Pierce Gardner Peter Hedges
Director: Peter Hedges
Starring: Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, Alison Pill,  Brittany Robertson, Marlene Lawston

Steve Carell is Dan, a widower raising three young girls, and writer of an advice column on family, titled as the movie. Dan placidly raises his girls with a very sheltering and conservative approach, while neglecting any attention and growth in his own life. The four of them are heading off together for the annual weekend family gathering at Dan's parents' house in another town. While in the local bookshop, Dan meets the lively and flustered Marie (Juliette  Binoche). They grab coffee and hit it off before Marie rushes off, mentioning she's already involved with someone. Upon his return to  the house, he reveals to the whole family he's just met someone wonderful just when his brother introduces his new girlfriend - Marie.

The story tells itself. The romantic comedy travels all too familiar paths of family hi jinks, football games, secret romantic confusion and cover ups, date set ups, and neglected children, which can be forgiven if the material is handled in a charming way. Unfortunately something just doesn't hit the nail on the head. I can't tell whether it's because Carell isn't as likeable as I hoped, or for that matter I didn't feel enough for any of the characters on a whole; or the plot felt it wasn't given as much originality as it promised, but it just doesn't satisfy.

You'll probably like this if: You want something easy to watch and not much else.

You'll probably not like this if: You want something to charm to the pants off you.