Dan in Real Life (**½)
Directed by: Peter Hedges
Starring: Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook
Seen: April 26th 2008
**½ Out of ****
Dan Burns (Carell) is a single father with two daughters that he dutifully raises. He is a very good guy, and this is even evidenced by the column he writes for the local newspaper called Dan in Real Life – which covers life-coaching, with its emphasis on parenting. The small family sets off for the annual family gathering, and before going to his parent’s home, he makes a stop at the local shops.
In the bookshop he meets Marie (Binoche), and he is instantly smitten, she is beautiful, and they from a quick and deep connection on the first meeting. Dan does not get her number however (like us guys sometimes lamely don’t do), so he can only hope to see her again, and he does…
Arriving at his parents’ home, everyone is warmly greeted, showing us that this is a loving and fun family, and this sets the tone for the rest of the film. When Dan’s brother, Mitch (Cook) arrives, the player-brother surprises the family with his beautiful, wholesome girlfriend, Marie. Dan and Marie quickly acknowledge having already met, but nothing more. Quite understandably, Dan subtly withdraws from the family time, he’s there, but not really, and bad luck starts hounding him with some amusing results.
Every character is colourfully presented, from Dan’s critical yet supportive parents to his two daughters who fight to get their father back from the depression that looms just out of sight. Carell portrays Dan with a bittersweet, silent passion, this guy has seen some tough times, but still he believes in the beauty life can give us all, he refuses to let it go, and he is eventually rewarded for it.
The soundtrack is a beautifully compiled bunch of songs by Norwegian songwriter Sondre Lerche, and the film’s rendition of “Let My Love Open the Door” will stay with you for quite some time after leaving the cinema. This is a sweet little piece of candy floss that anyone can enjoy, and that I’d love to watch a few more times someday.
Starring: Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook
Seen: April 26th 2008
**½ Out of ****
Dan Burns (Carell) is a single father with two daughters that he dutifully raises. He is a very good guy, and this is even evidenced by the column he writes for the local newspaper called Dan in Real Life – which covers life-coaching, with its emphasis on parenting. The small family sets off for the annual family gathering, and before going to his parent’s home, he makes a stop at the local shops.
In the bookshop he meets Marie (Binoche), and he is instantly smitten, she is beautiful, and they from a quick and deep connection on the first meeting. Dan does not get her number however (like us guys sometimes lamely don’t do), so he can only hope to see her again, and he does…
Arriving at his parents’ home, everyone is warmly greeted, showing us that this is a loving and fun family, and this sets the tone for the rest of the film. When Dan’s brother, Mitch (Cook) arrives, the player-brother surprises the family with his beautiful, wholesome girlfriend, Marie. Dan and Marie quickly acknowledge having already met, but nothing more. Quite understandably, Dan subtly withdraws from the family time, he’s there, but not really, and bad luck starts hounding him with some amusing results.
Every character is colourfully presented, from Dan’s critical yet supportive parents to his two daughters who fight to get their father back from the depression that looms just out of sight. Carell portrays Dan with a bittersweet, silent passion, this guy has seen some tough times, but still he believes in the beauty life can give us all, he refuses to let it go, and he is eventually rewarded for it.
The soundtrack is a beautifully compiled bunch of songs by Norwegian songwriter Sondre Lerche, and the film’s rendition of “Let My Love Open the Door” will stay with you for quite some time after leaving the cinema. This is a sweet little piece of candy floss that anyone can enjoy, and that I’d love to watch a few more times someday.
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