CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE: A bumpy ride
Adults hungry for a date-night movie now have the new Crazy, Stupid, Love to consider, produced by and starring last year’s Date Night star Steve Carell. A cross between a comedy and a drama, with a big-name cast, read these Reel Answers to see if this movie is for you.
Crazy, Stupid, Love
Directed by Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Starring Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone
What is Crazy, Stupid, Love about?
The poster for this movie shows a stunned Steve Carell nearly pinned down by a huge stiletto heel. It makes the movie look like a cross between The 40-Year-Old Virgin and The Graduate but, sorry to say, this pleasantly lightweight film doesn’t rise to the level of either of those audience favorites. It tells the story of schlubby husband and dad Cal Weaver (Carell), who gets dumped by his lovely wife (Julianne Moore) one night and soon finds himself flailing around in the dating world until getting taken under the wing of smooth-talking ladies’ man Jacob (Ryan Gosling).
The movie takes off as Cal learns from Jacob some rather caddish ways to seduce a lady, even as he continues to pine away for his beloved wife and home garden. Meanwhile Jacob for the first time makes a love connection with a smart young lawyer (Emma Stone). And there’s a third love subplot between two teenagers. With its multigenerational love stories and piling up of coincidences, the movie zigzags between gooey sentimentality and screwball schtick just enough to hold your attention, rising above the usual one-note twentysomething Hollywood romances.
Who is the creative team behind this film?
For once, it’s an adult rom-com not made by the over-rated Nancy Meyers. Instead the creative people behind this one are all men, which does color the goings-on—less romantic tension, more sex. The two-guy directorial team has some quirky yet juvenile Hollywood films behind them like I Love You Phillip Morris and Bad Santa. Writer Dan Fogelman is known for animated children’s films like Bolt and Cars, which may explain why the oft-repeated catchphrase of the movie is the clichéd “I should have fought for you.” But Fogelman does get in a few good plot twists. Meanwhile producer Steve Carell was obviously intent on making sure his character—who makes more than a few weird choices in the film—holds the sympathy of the audience. And that leads to the next question….
Is this rom-com just for women, or will men like it?
I’m going to say that men might actually like this movie more than women. Unlike last summer’s The Kids Are All Right, this isn’t the interesting, naturalistic story of Julianne Moore and her midlife malaise. Instead, it’s a boys version all the way, with boys’ concerns—being cuckholded, regaining your cool factor, remembering how to seduce a woman, relearning intimacy, and being unafraid to declare your love out loud (albeit, this time without a boombox). Sure women will chuckle and choke up along with the guys in the audience, but they may also long for a little more genuine romance, a little less familiar bromance.
How are the actors?
Steve Carell fans will be happy to know he’s doing his usual “common man” thing, as seen in many recent movies including Date Night and my Carell favorite, Dan in Real Life. Julianne Moore seems to be channeling Diane Keaton, with a little too much grinning and dithering. Young Emma Stone is down-to-earth and funny as usual, if not quite believable as a lawyer. But the standout is the cool-yet-quirky Ryan Gosling, best known for moody roles in recent indie films like Blue Valentine and Half Nelson. This pure Hollywood part comes complete with a killer haircut and wardrobe, which has some reviewers comparing Gosling to George Clooney in his charming younger roles, and that’s not totally off-base.
Is Crazy, Stupid, Love laugh-out-loud funny?
The film does have its moments, but is not a laugh riot and is not intended to be—despite its “crazy” TV ads. In fact, sometimes it’s more uncomfortable than funny, and some of the laughs are more crass than class. But the humorous moments are sprinkled reliably throughout the movie, which is more than many recent comedies can promise. You’ll probably enjoy your two-hours with the movie, but its lightweight charms fade fast.
Will I need tissues?
Perhaps, but only briefly.
My Reel Answers column aims to boil down film reviewing to its essence: answering questions (without divulging key plot points) you might have about a popular movie before plunking down your hard-earned money to see it.
Please visit http://reelanswers.net to see past movies and DVDs I’ve reviewed, and let me know what questions you have about upcoming movies that I can answer.
When not watching and reviewing movies, I run a consulting business helping successful book authors ramp up their online presence via websites, ebooks, and social media at http://laura-e-kelly.com. —Laura E. Kelly
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.