Common Sense Media Review
Love hurts in predictable rom com. OK for teens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
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Dan in Real Life
What's the Story?
Four years after his beloved wife's death, newspaper columnist Dan (Steve Carell) is devoted to their three daughters, but the teen girls are quickly moving out of his control. Cara (Brittany Robertson) is in love for the first time and lies to her father about it, sneaking off to smooch her new fella. Parent-ified Jane (Alison Pill) is 17 and ready to drive, and Lilly (Marlene Lawston) is sick of being coddled. As Dan's father (John Mahoney) aptly remarks when Dan says his children hate him, "You must be doing something right." After arriving at his parents' home for a mythically happy family reunion, Dan meets and falls for Marie (Juliette Binoche). The problem? She's already spoken for -- by Dan's hyper, self-involved brother, Mitch (Dane Cook). Will Dan be able to keep his feelings to himself?
Is It Any Good?
It may not exactly be real life, but Dan in Real Life is a fun way to spend two hours with your family. This a romantic comedy convinced that misery and self-abdication are the true signs of love; it's a typical movie message, but maybe not a good one for teens who already make a habit of dramatic suffering. So it's a good thing the movie is well-done and warm-hearted. Yes, it's predictable and unrealistic, but it aims for a kind of "human comedy," as Marie announces on first meeting Dan. The film does have other types of funny as well, including guffaw-worthy moments mostly surrounding some great lines your kids may end up repeating back to you.
Director Peter Hedges uses his cast to great effect: Cook stays occupied with outlandish songs and aerobics routines, and Carell hams it up dancing and gets in a few fun one-liners, too. The young actors all pull their own weight, and Mahoney and the renowned Dianne Wiest provide the perfect backdrop to the film as Dan's content parents.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the difference between how love is portrayed in movies and how it is in real life. Why do you think so many movies pair depression and misery with love? Is it funny to watch romantic movies like that? Why or why not? How fun do you think it would be to actually be in a relationship like that? In this movie, Dan and Marie lie about their attraction and end up hurting a lot of people. Remind kids that anyone you have to hide or lie to your family about probably isn't the right person for you.
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 25, 2007
- On DVD or streaming : March 10, 2008
- Cast : Dane Cook , Juliette Binoche , Steve Carell
- Director : Peter Hedges
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Focus Features
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some innuendo.
- Last updated : March 14, 2020
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