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?

DAN IN REAL LIFE is 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. It may not exactly be real life, but Dan in Real Life is ultimately a fun way to spend two hours with your family.