Dan in Real Life

Watching Dan in Real Life is the equivalent of being curled up on the couch eating comfort food. I can totally see people doing just that once this film comes out on DVD. Dan in Real Life is nothing profound or pretentious; it’s not a study of exceptional acting or cinematography, but it’s not crap either. With all these Oscar worthy films coming up, it was kind of nice to clean the slate with this charming story.

The plot of Dan in Real Life is pretty standard. Among some touching moments hear and there, it definitely has a sitcom feel to it. In fact, during the film, I was reminded of the Friends story arc where Chandler was in love with Joey’s girlfriend causing him to pine for her, cross the line and end up spending Thanksgiving in a box. The storyline of Dan in Real Life is pretty predictable with all its convenient situations and tidy ending. Maybe that’s what made it so comfortable to watch; I didn’t have to think all that much. One of the things that I found strange however is the use of the bowling alley to show the playful side of love. Did the Bowling Association of America strike a deal with Hollywood? I haven’t seen this much bowling since Kingpin or the TV show Ed. This fall alone bowling is featured in Across the Universe, Lars and the Real Girl, Martian Child, and Dan in Real Life. I guess there’s a whole new bowling craze sweeping across the America.

Dan in Real Life is written and directed by Peter Hedges who also gave us the charming Hugh Grant piece, About a Boy. In both films we see that Hedges is quite adept at making realistic relationships between children and adults. The three young girls in this film were great. Alison Pill plays the oldest daughter who tries to be the only responsible member of the family. Brittany Robertson is the passionate middle child who yells out all the things parents don’t want to hear. Marlene Lawston (Flightplan) is the youngest who is not only cute as a button but also shows a vulnerability that will tug at your heartstrings.

Of course, Steve Carell gives another great performance. He gets to play up the slapstick while still engaging us in the character’s tragic life. It’s hard to compare his character of Dan Burns to anything he’s done previously. Dan is not over-the-top or wonderfully subtle, he just exists beautifully in this sitcomy world. The other actors in the cast also do a fine job. I found it weird that Juliette Binoche (Chocolat, The English Patient) would do this type of film, but she gives a pleasant performance as Marie, the love interest. Dane Cook is tolerable in this movie; it may even make you forget his work in Good Luck Chuck.

With some nice camera work here and there, some fine acting, some great comedic and heart-warming moments and a short running time, Dan in Real Life is an enjoyable, comfortable film. This is one for the DVD player on a night where you don’t want to think too hard and just relax. It’s nice to have these breaths of fresh air now and again.