Widower Dan Burns (Steve Carell) is an advice columnist raising three girls alone. When they travel to Rhode Island for his family’s annual get-together, he meets a charming woman named Marie (Juliette Binoche) at a local bookstore. The two have a connection, but Marie informs Dan that she has a boyfriend.

Still, Dan cannot help but think about the spark between them… until Dan’s younger brother Mitch (Dane Cook) introduces Marie to his family as his girlfriend. Things get a bit complicated as Dan tries to quell his attraction to Marie while also dealing with his daughters growing up and becoming women of their own.

Dan in Real Life is a cozy, romantic movie. I love movies about family dynamics, especially when it’s a family gathering or reunion, and everyone is forced to confront their underlying issues. Dan’s family is not dysfunctional but pretty supportive of each other. This makes it even more difficult for Dan, as he seems to be the only person in the room falling apart.

Carell and Binoche have plenty of chemistry on screen together, but Carell seems to have chemistry with just about everyone in this movie. I am not a fan of Dane Cook; he felt miscast as Dan’s brother Mitch. Nothing about him made me believe a woman as cultured and kind as Marie would fall for him. It doesn’t leave the ending in doubt whatsoever, and the movie throws in the gorgeous Emily Blunt as a blind date for Dan to make sure Mitch doesn’t end up alone.

Dan in Real Life is a sentimental, romantic dramedy highlighting Carell’s acting strengths. Yes, he’s best known for his comedic roles, but he has range, and I think this movie was one of his first roles to show it.

Also, it’s tough to make a bad movie when it also stars Dianne Wiest and the late, great John Mahoney. So yes, the performances in this movie alone make it worth a watch, even if it doesn’t break any new ground in its story. I would say it’s well-written, well-directed, and well-acted, but Dan in Real Life is also somewhat forgettable.

Still, I recommend watching this movie on a rainy autumn day when you have nowhere to be and feel like being charmed for an hour and a half.

Watched: 09/29/2022
Notable Song: Let My Love Open the Door by Steve Carell and Dane Cook