Dan In Real Life

Ok so I didn't know Steve Carell could actually *act*-- that's on me. Yes this movie is an "older" movie but that's part of the charm. We get to see the dynamics of family relationships play out WITHOUT vulgarity and unnecessary sexuality. It's actually quite funny, entertaining and as I said, relatable in all the right ways. It's not even ridiculously Halmarkian-- it's just a good story.

Great movie love it

This film feels so real, hence the title. Even if you don't like Steve Carell, I think you'll like this one. Also, the scene at the end with the band and the family all dancing at sunset is really nice. (I won't say what the event is so I won't ruin the movie for you!)

This is one of those films that you might have heard of but never saw or, like me, saw it way back when, enjoyed it then, and wondered, "If it was as good as I remember it being, then why wasn't a bigger deal been made of it?" So I purchased it and watched it again and, yep, it is that good.Steve Carell plays Dan Burns, a widower, advice columnist, and father of three daughters. He's struggling from the fairly recent loss of his wife and with raising his girls and decides to take the kids on a family retreat to a big cabin on the shores of Rhode Island. It's a multigenerational event, with Dan's parents, played by Dianne Wiest and "Frasier"'s John Mahoney (who are great, by the way), his brothers, sister, and their families all gathering together at what appears to be the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. When Dan's mom sends him into town to pick up a newspaper and take a breather from the family, he meets a lovely woman, Marie (Juliette Binoche), and after a humorous encounter, becomes smitten, and she with him.It turns out that Marie, however, is attached to someone else, and that someone is Dan's brother, Mitch. But Dan doesn't find this out until back at the cabin, when Mitch (played by Dane Cook) introduces Dan to Marie. Dan and Marie keep their attraction under wraps and try to dissuade themselves from falling for the other, but it's apparently too late for that.Dan in Real Life offers up some comedy, some pathos, and a lot of sweetness but it never gets cloying. It's smartly written and very well acted and the characters are believable, even if the scenario is a bit contrived (but it's done much, much better than the mixed-up romance of Luke Wilson and Sarah Jessica Parker in The Family Stone).After Foxcatcher and other more-serious-than-funny roles, Carrell, it's now known, can play it straight as well as funny, but this movie came at the height of The Office, when people maybe weren't yet willing to see "Michael Scott" be semi-serious and sensitive. We know better now.

This movie evokes a distinct sense of nostalgia for me. I love the family vibe created in the film. The majority of the film is set in a family beach cabin in New England and there are a ton of kids and grand-kids piled around everywhere playing and having a typical family experience.Dad is a widower with three daughters. They are on their way to a family reunion at Grandma and Grandpa's cabin in New England. A tricky situation arises when the cute woman he flirted with at the book store turns out to be his brother's new girlfriend. There is the silliness you would expect from a Steve Carell performance, but it isn't obnoxious. The movie still has a deep and abiding sense of family and emotional growth. Everyone has pain and loss and this is a great movie to see someone dealing with that in a flawed/normal way. It has the happy ending you want and is a nice cozy movie to watch when you need a shot of optimism in the room. The music by Sondre Lerche is resonant and homey. Dane Cook was in the movie, but he managed not to ruin it. Though the dance scene with Emily Blunt was awkward and really a part of the film I don't mind skipping over.This film is appropriate for kids about 12 and up. There are some wonderfully funny scenes as Dan's second daughter screams and cries when she is told she can't spend the week with her boyfriend. Great family film. I only wouldn't have my younger kids watch it because there are some frank discussions of sex, though nothing too offensive, just stuff I would rather introduce them to in my own time.

Worth watching

Great movie

Delivered on time in good condition

Gran película con audio y subtítulos en español.Muy recomendable

Love this family movie - wanted to make sure we could watch it anytime by having it on dvd.

Bellissimo

Película entretenida, está bien. Por el precio, buena compra.

I came across this film because we loved Steve Carell as Michael Scott in The Office (the US version - by the way, much more fun than the UK version). I can see why some reviewers, knowing Steve Carell's work, might have struggled with this but if you are prepared to open your mind and accept him in something a bit different then this is a real treat! All of us - my husband right down to our daughter (aged 12) loved it.It is set over a fairly short period of time (say less than a week) in Autumnal coastal New England - every scene is a joy in both the dialogue and scenery - charming, witty family banter with none of the usual crudeness which is so commonplace in adult films. The scenery is lovely - atmospheric (out of season New England coastal town, large battered old house etc). The soundtrack is fantastic - never heard of the Norweigan guy who wrote most of the music but it just enhances what is a really lovely film.Steve Carell is a revelation - of course we all know he is fantasic at comedy but here he gives a charming performance as a widower embarrassing his teenage children. Juliette Binoche is also charming. And the supporting actors including Dianne Wiest and Emily Blunt are great too.If you are looking for thrills and spills - sex and special effects - forget it but for those of us who love softer, quieter but nevertheless charming films then this is for you! Highly recommended.