Dan’s a lonely man, he longs for his deceased wife and he’s raising his three daughters all by himself. Dan is also a man with all the answers, or so it’s believed since he’s the writer of a popular advice column. However, he quickly finds himself in a bit of a pickle at the annual family reunion.
Dan Burns (Steve Carrell) is the father of three daughters, Jane (Alison Pill), Cara (Brittany Robertson), and Lily (Marlene Lawston), and the writer of a popular advice column called “Dan in real life.” His wife died years before and he still wakes up in the middle of the night and reaches over to her side of the bed.
He’s good at giving advice but he’s having troubles with the growing girls – Jane constantly wants to drive (she’s got her learner’s permit) and Cara is in love (the young, forever kind) with Marty (Felipe Dieppa). He and the girls are heading to Rhode Island where Dan’s parents (John Mahoney and Dianne Wiest) hold a family reunion to shut down their vacation home and it’s the annual family get together.
Dan’s brother Mitch (Dane Cook) has brought his latest squeeze to the event. Since the parents hold a strict “no room sharing with the girlfriend” policy the newcomer is going to take the room that Dan usually occupies. Dan is relegated to the “special room” which is a fold out bed in the laundry room next to the clunking dryer.
After a less than restful night, Dan goes into town to pick up the morning papers at the local bookstore. He meets Marie (Juliette Binoche) at the bookstore and it’s basically love at first sight and the two exchange phone numbers but Marie says that she’s in a new relationship but she still seems to have made a connection with Dan. Dan returns to the family and tells them of his encounter at the bookstore and his brother Mitch encourages him to pursue this new lady even if she is a relationship since she “ain’t got no ring on her finger.”
However, the time comes to meet Mitch’s newly arriving lady friend and guess who it turns out to be? So now Dan has to try and hide his feelings for Marie while keeping Mitch in the dark. Doesn’t that sound like that Dan is going to have a great family weekend?
This Steve Carrell vehicle is closer to Miss Sunshine than his character on the Office. Thank goodness for that since we’d have no sympathy if that dunder(Mifflin?)headed version of Carrell was playing this role.
Carrell turns up the charm to eleven as we see that the poor sap is so lonely but has devoted himself to raising his daughters and really hasn’t planned for love. That’s usually when cupid sneaks up on you and plans an arrow in your left buttocks.
The romance is the key to this “human comedy” as Dan finds himself at odds with himself as to whether to pursue the romance or to take the way that will save his brother from harm. Love will find a way and Dan finds that it’s in his way.
The characters are delightful, the story human and endearing, and this is just a great film. Those expecting another goofball comedy from Carrell may go away disappointed, but I went away with my heart warmed and maybe a trace of a tear in my eye (must’ve been that arrow that was shot into my left buttocks when I first viewed the film).
Dan in Real Life is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions.
Special features include a commentary by director/writer Peter Hedges. Next is the 15 minute “Just the Family” which is a making of and has some interesting tidbits like the cast, excluding Carrell who was still shooting the Office, got together before filming and formed a family.
To make sure that Carrell fit into the group the director had them write letters to his character so what when he did arrive it was like he was part of the family and it appears to have worked.
The 9-minute “Handmade Music” delves into how the awesome score was created by Sondre Lerche. Next are 20 minutes of deleted scenes with optional commentary by Hedges and 3 minutes of outtakes.
Dan in Real Life features a great performance by Carrell, Binoche, and every last person on screen. It’s only highlighted by an infectious score/songs by Lerche, and some skilled direction by Hedges. You’ll find yourself falling in love with it. I know I did.
Dan in Real Life is now available at Amazon . It is available for pre-order at AmazonUK for a June 2nd release. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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