If you know Steve Carell from “The Office,” then you know he’s mastered the art of awkward and tense humor. He has the ability to take a cliched movie scene and make it believable and realistic, partly by making it uncomfortable when it should be using his body language and short, punctuated sentences. What Carell is less known for is presenting this in more serious types of comedies, like “Dan in Real Life” and “Little Miss Sunshine.” Carell is the everyman, who is able to make us laugh, make us feel sorry for him and make us want to be just like him. This why he shines in the new comedy “Crazy, Stupid, Love.”
Carell plays Cal Weaver, who’s wife Emily (four-time Oscar-nominee Julianne Moore; “Boogie Nights,” “The Kids Are All Right”), has just informed him that she has slept with someone else, and is now asking for a divorce. As Cal tries to pick up the pieces of his life, he finds himself in the same swanky bar most nights spouting off the details of his divorce to anyone within earshot. He’s soon approached by the extremely well-dressed Jacob Palmer (Oscar-nominee Ryan Gosling; “Half Nelson,” “The Notebook”), who Cal has noticed is a very successful pick-up artist. Jacob offers to help Cal regain his manhood and move on with his life, and this odd couple friendship begins. Jacob takes Cal under his wing with tips on wardrobe, conversation and generally how to carry himself. Soon enough, Cal is a bit of a ladies man, with a new attitude and a new look that surprises his ex-wife. Meanwhile, Cal and Emily’s 13-year-old son Robbie is struggling with the woes of true love, as his infatuation toward his babysitter, Jessica (former “America’s Next Top Model” finalist Analeigh Tipton), begins to reach an unhealthy level, despite Jessica’s infatuation with someone else.
The reason “Crazy, Stupid, Love” works so well against some romantic comedy cliches is its ability to walk that line without actually crossing it, particularly the moment it begins to pour rain on Cal and he simply mutters, “What a cliche,” completely redeeming the scene. This might be the point of his character and of the divorce plot. When going through such a situation, it’s probably difficult not to feel like a cliche, or like you’re living out a movie. We see Cal go through a transformation in his appearance and his confidence, but he remains the good person he was. His promiscuity is merely an attempt to move on with his life. Jacob comes off as an arrogant womanizer when we first meet him, but he gradually reveals the person beneath who is simply trying to buy and screw his way to happiness. Jacob meets his match in Hannah (the charming and hilarious Emma Stone; “Easy A,” “The Help”), who was the only female we see able to resist his charm. Hannah is able to break through Jacob’s exterior, and Emily is able to cut through Cal’s newly developed shell. Young actor Jonah Bobo, who plays Cal’s son Robbie, is an awkwardly intelligent youth who seems to understand the true pain and perseverance of love – more than any adults in the film. Robbie’s ideas about love are written off because of his young age, but everyone soon realizes that it might just be that simple after all. Oscar-winner Marissa Tomei (“The Wrestler,” “My Cousin Vinny”) and Kevin Bacon (“Mystic River,” “Apollo 13”) make good comedic additions (Bacon as the man Emily cheated on Cal with). As everything progresses the way a comedy should, every sub plot collides in moment so well orchestrated and entertaining. You realize there were plot twists you weren’t expecting, and everything takes a new turn that ends in a dramatic, yet spirit-lifting speech at an eighth grade graduation.
“Crazy, Stupid, Love” might not be for everyone. I mean, I’m pretty sure no matter who you are you’ll find something funny and enjoyable about this film. But not everyone will fully appreciate it. This story is about love. It’s not just another romantic comedy, but instead it seems to really have a deeper understanding of love. In one case how it can change someone overnight, in another how it can never really leave and in yet another case, how it knows no age or restrictions. In any case, it’s about how love can be messy, and it can cause you to do crazy and stupid things. But it really exists in people, and it’s something that can be put through awful circumstances and still be there on the other end. So some people, who may have known true love in their life, can understand why very little about this film is cliche. It’s a laughable, painful and uncomfortable mess. And in the end, everything is far from perfect, but it’s hopeful. And that’s the truth.
“Love sucks.”
-Brendan
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