apapacosta I picked this up at a pound store so my expectations were low. I hadn't heard of the film but I like Steve Carell so thought I would give it a watch. What unfolded was a funny, sensitive, entertaining story about a man struggling with his life as a single parent. There are details here that are beautifully handled. I am surprised that this film is not better know. I hope people will seek it out. It's a treat!

Python Hyena Dan in Real Life (2007): Dir: Peter Hedges / Cast: Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, Emily Blunt, Alison Pill: Comedy about dealings with obstacles. Dan is a widowed father who is invited to his parents for the weekend. A chance encounter with a woman in a bookstore ends up being his brother's girlfriend. Directed by Peter Hedges with predictable circumstances where feelings aren't voiced. Steve Carell plays off the desperation and loneliness of Dan. He doesn't anticipate this weekend outing but this new romance sparks life into his otherwise routine existence. Juliette Binoche struggles with her feelings especially when learning that this charming new stranger is her boyfriend's brother. This cannot end well but viewers will likely understand since Dane Cook as the brother is a complete moron. He is all about everything that families aren't. Do families really play hide and seek, and do stupid group exercises in the yard, or sing foolish love songs? No wonder Binoche chose Carell. Then there is an appearance by Emily Blunt who is hooked up with Carell but ends up in another place by conclusion. Frankly, she seems like the bargain. The cast is a half and half in terms of who has a believable role and who plays a total jackass. Theme regards companionship but in reality most families are more like Dan than the spawn he came from. Score: 6 ½ / 10

studioAT Sometimes you start watching a film that you're not really sure about. And then it surprises you. This was my experience with 'Dan in Real Life'.I thought this film was wonderful. It is so rare to find a film that mixes so much humour and warmth without being cloying or farcical. But everything about this film clicks both in terms of storytelling and cast. You know you're onto a winner when you have an actor of John Mahoney's quality in a very small role.The fact is that this could happen in real life and the results would probably be much the same as they are on screen. I know some people take the approach of "I see real life everyday, I go to the cinema to escape it" but this film is very much a celebration of family life and love and those things are just as important as big budget blockbusters with CGI galore.

yumicho There were original elements to this film, but the main plot was obvious from the beginning. Viewers will know not only how "Dan in Real Life" not only ends, but will likely be able to figure out most of the detours within 15 minutes of the start.So much of the actual dialogue is so clichéd and poorly thought out. Without spoiling the film, Dan is meant to be a writer, but any time any of his material is introduced, it is hacky trite glurge. I rolled my eyes almost every time we were introduced to his writing. The idea that he is published, sought after, and even considered original in itself is totally unbelievable. There are elements that are original, yet these are either totally botched and the opportunity is wasted, or they are pulled off in an over the top way. At times it felt like this was trying to be a farce, at other times a quiet comedy, and at others an ensemble. I felt the family element with both Dan's nuclear and extended family was overwhelming and unbelievable. Details were sketched in, I suppose because of a lack of time and an expectation the viewer would project their own ideas about what was going on. So much is glossed over. I suspect that if this film was given proper time, or if it chose a comedy sub-genre, it would have been more enjoyable.