Crazy Stupid Love

Viewer Rating:Jan has rated Crazy Stupid Love rating: 4 Star

Cal(an always reliable Steve Carrell) is a defeated every man who is having dinner with his wife Emily (Julianne Moore) just as she delivers the news that she wants a divorce after 20+ years of marriage. As Cal crys into his cranberry and vodka at the local hip bar, resident lothario Jacob(Ryan Gosling) is making his way through every female in the area when he notices Cal. Jacob has just struck out with Hannah (Emma Stone) when he decides to take Cal under his wing and teach him how to be a man again. Meanwhile Cal's 13 year old son Robbie tries to understand his feelings for the babysitter who only has eyes for an older man. And so begins the multi-storied arc of lost love, unrequited love, new love and crazy love. And as each love story is progressed, the crazy and stupid start to leak in! The general set up and overlapping stories within this movie help it to move along nicely, and with the stellar leads and a superb supporting cast including Marissa Tomei, Josh Groban and a somewhat sleazy Kevin Bacon, it feels like the actors, right down to the younger members of the cast, know exactly what they are doing. Although I would have liked to have seen the talented Julianne Moore and Emma Stone been given more to do. While this movie has an ensemble feel to it, make no mistakes, this is Carrell's movie and possibly his finest hour(s) to date! As likable family man Cal, you can't help but route for him as he stumbles through each encounter and well the laughs are there too, this subtler acting style seems to suit him better. And Ryan Gosling has now developed into the movie star that is required for his cool part and he simmers with charisma on screen just enough to draw you in but still leave you wanting more. Having watched and re-watched this movie I would highly recommend it for both men and women. Though dressed up as a romcom it has a clever family drama centre and with enough laughs to to wrap it all up as a very smart, enjoyable film.

Review published on the 03 November 2011 22:40