Dan in Real Life

Viewer Rating:Old_No7 has rated Dan in Real Life rating: 2 Star

While it does have its moments, this latest offering from Steve Carell feels simulated and nothing in the film represents 'real life'. Dan (Carell) is a widower who devotes his life to his three daughters. One weekend while visiting his parents (Dianne Wiest and an aged looking John Mahoney) he meets Marie (Juliette Binoche) at a bookstore. They get to know each other, but then Dan finds out that Marie is actually dating his brother, Mitch (Dane Cook). One issue with the film was the cast members, not talent wise, but there was too many of them. There were brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews everywhere. Perhaps the film-makers intention was to create a frenzied and chaotic view of the peaceful countryside that surrounded them but the result was too many people standing around with nothing interesting to do, some of the characters barely had one line throughout the film. There were times it felt like another Cheaper by the Dozen movie. A better approach would have been less characters which would have given a more secluded, personal feel to the film. Steve Carell as usual is enjoyable to watch and his comic timing is excellent. The ever magnificent Juliette Binoche shines with radiance and the rest of the cast are amicable enough. The script, while never hilarious as the posters describe, is smart and nicely understated and does hold your attention, although no prizes for guessing the outcome. While the film is agreeable to a point its syrup soaked approach takes any of the real life out of it and ultimately serves up a happy family scenario which we have seen just too many times before. People wanting to see another Little Miss Sunshine will be highly disappointed. I know I was.

Review published on the 18 January 2008 12:42