Dan in Real Life

Movie review by Heather Boerner, Common Sense Media
Dan in Real Life Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 13+

Love hurts in predictable rom com. OK for teens.

PG-13 2007 110 minutes
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Parents say

age 12+

Based on 16 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 27 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that although this Steve Carell comedy is fairly tame overall, it does include some violence, innuendo, and other iffy behavior (Dan and Marie share a shower, they lie to Dan's family, and Dan flirts with Marie inappropriately in front of his whole family). Dan also gets a black eye and a broken nose and is in a minor car accident. A mother's death is mentioned, and a teenager lies to her father about dating a boy (he sneaks up to make out with her on the family vacation). One character makes jokes about "self-love" and "unclogging the pipes," which may lead tweens to ask about sex and masturbation. Language includes one use of "f--k."

Community Reviews

Asenababe
Asenababe Adult
November 16, 2022
age 16+

Murderer of love? More like murders of entertainment.

This movie is the dumbest movie I’ve ever seen. However we are here not to discuss stupidity but if it’s appropriate for kids: I believe it’s not. The first thing is the main character is in love with the brothers girlfriend. She is inlove with her boyfriends brother. (They love each other) The woman is constantly flirting with both boys in front of each other even though the main character is trying to get her to stop. Eventually though theirs a back and forth of one flirting with one and being pushed away and then they switch. At one point the entire family comes into the main characters room and start discussing how to get out of his funk and the conversation turns to how he should masturbate and “unclog the pipes.” Main characters middle daughter is obsessed with her boyfriend of 3 days and brings up wanting to have sex with him often. She is 16. She even asks the family when it’s appropriate to consider someone a lover instead of a boyfriend. At one point her boyfriend sneaks to where she is and they are caught making out. Afterwards she tells her dad “When it comes to sex, he’s the one that wants to wait.” When the dad sends the boyfriend away the daughter screams at the dad “you are a murder of love.” There is another moment where the family is making fun of a girl the mom sets the main character on a blind date with referring her to “pig face” and even sings a whole song about it. Anyway eventually main character and brothers girlfriend start sneaking around after the girlfriend breaks up with the brother. Obviously they are caught. At the end of the day I didn’t like it because it teaches: Bullying is fine as long as not to the persons face, and they don’t find out. Screaming at parents is fine. Sneak your partner behind your parents back. Teens Sex life and your uncles masterbation is a topic for all family especially extended family including your young nieces and nephews. You can sneak around a date family members partners. At the end of the day it was really stupid and just some not great role models or morals. We are sex positive parents, but this went about it all the wrong way. I wouldn’t show it to my young kids.
1 person found this helpful.
briabell1
briabell1 Adult
December 20, 2021
age 9+

Funny and clean

Honestly, nothing to worry about in this movie. I recommend it for all ages!! I only give it three stars because the ending of the movie was a bit bland.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 16 parent reviews

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

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