2008 Woodie Awards
This Dan is the man
Alan Sharp
Issue date: 12/5/07 Section: Entertainment
- Page 1 of 1
Steve Carell shines in the new dramedy, "Dan In Real Life," as does the ensemble of supporting players. I was even able to tolerate Dane Cook, which is saying something. Carell (brilliant as Michael Scott on NBC's "The Office") plays Dan Burns, a sad widower that tries, mostly in vain, to please his three daughters. Dan and his brood travel to the lake for the annual Burns Family get-together, which Dan feels immensely uncomfortable at since the death of his wife four years previously.
The entire vacation is spent with the family trying to convince Dan to "get back on the horse" of pursuing a love life. Adding to his misery, Dan has to sleep in the "special room" as the only single offspring of Poppy and Nana Burns (John Mahoney and Dianne Wiest, both great). Dan shares the room with the washer and dryer, which are in use constantly and sound as if someone feels the need to launder bricks while Dan is trying to sleep.
A frustrated Dan leaves the family for an afternoon to clear his head. He goes into town and encounters the lovely Marie (Juliette Binoche of "Chocolat") in a bookstore. They have immediate chemistry and reluctantly part ways, but not before Marie gives Dan her number. Upon returning to the family, Dan is met by the arrival of his brother Mitch (Cook) and his all-too-perfect new girlfriend, Marie. Yep, THAT Marie.
Dan and Marie struggle mightily to suppress their feelings for each other. Neither wanting to hurt anyone in the Burns clan, especially uber-romantic Mitch. The rest of the film is loaded with touching and funny family moments. Much of the comedy, as well as the drama, is fueled by the uncomfortable tension between the awkward Dan and Marie as well as Dan and his daughters. Dan's eldest daughter, the earnest Jane (Alison Pill) just wants her dad to trust her enough to allow her to drive the car. His youngest daughter Lilly (Marlene Lawston) is sentimental to a fault. His middle daughter, the love-struck Cara (Brittany Robertson in a scene-stealing performance) chews up the scenery, as she tries to sneak any amount of time she can with her "true love" Marty (Felipe Dieppa of "Dora The Explorer"). She delivers unbridled emotion as well as one of the film's funniest moments when she declares Dan a "murderer of love."
The script, by Pierce Garder and the film's director Peter Hedges, nails the large family dynamic. They show an accurate understanding about how your family can make you laugh, cry and feel immensely uncomfortable all in the space of minutes. Carell's performance is a marvel. He takes the best parts of his characters from "The Office" and "Little Miss Sunshine" and mold them into the touching personae of Dan Burns. He keeps the humor of Dan properly understated and his eyes show every ounce of emotion, even when he tries to hide his feeling with the rest of his face. This is probably my favorite performance by an actor so far this year. Definitely Oscar-worthy (as if my opinion counted towards that).
Guys, take this opportunity to score points with your significant others this movie season. The ladies will love it and you won't feel like you're being punished by a "chick flick."
The entire vacation is spent with the family trying to convince Dan to "get back on the horse" of pursuing a love life. Adding to his misery, Dan has to sleep in the "special room" as the only single offspring of Poppy and Nana Burns (John Mahoney and Dianne Wiest, both great). Dan shares the room with the washer and dryer, which are in use constantly and sound as if someone feels the need to launder bricks while Dan is trying to sleep.
A frustrated Dan leaves the family for an afternoon to clear his head. He goes into town and encounters the lovely Marie (Juliette Binoche of "Chocolat") in a bookstore. They have immediate chemistry and reluctantly part ways, but not before Marie gives Dan her number. Upon returning to the family, Dan is met by the arrival of his brother Mitch (Cook) and his all-too-perfect new girlfriend, Marie. Yep, THAT Marie.
Dan and Marie struggle mightily to suppress their feelings for each other. Neither wanting to hurt anyone in the Burns clan, especially uber-romantic Mitch. The rest of the film is loaded with touching and funny family moments. Much of the comedy, as well as the drama, is fueled by the uncomfortable tension between the awkward Dan and Marie as well as Dan and his daughters. Dan's eldest daughter, the earnest Jane (Alison Pill) just wants her dad to trust her enough to allow her to drive the car. His youngest daughter Lilly (Marlene Lawston) is sentimental to a fault. His middle daughter, the love-struck Cara (Brittany Robertson in a scene-stealing performance) chews up the scenery, as she tries to sneak any amount of time she can with her "true love" Marty (Felipe Dieppa of "Dora The Explorer"). She delivers unbridled emotion as well as one of the film's funniest moments when she declares Dan a "murderer of love."
The script, by Pierce Garder and the film's director Peter Hedges, nails the large family dynamic. They show an accurate understanding about how your family can make you laugh, cry and feel immensely uncomfortable all in the space of minutes. Carell's performance is a marvel. He takes the best parts of his characters from "The Office" and "Little Miss Sunshine" and mold them into the touching personae of Dan Burns. He keeps the humor of Dan properly understated and his eyes show every ounce of emotion, even when he tries to hide his feeling with the rest of his face. This is probably my favorite performance by an actor so far this year. Definitely Oscar-worthy (as if my opinion counted towards that).
Guys, take this opportunity to score points with your significant others this movie season. The ladies will love it and you won't feel like you're being punished by a "chick flick."
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