by Thomas Ferguson

I love going to the movies….obviously. Unfortunately, I don’t happen to love every movie I see. Some movies just don’t appeal to me in least bit and some seem dull from their preview. The best experience is going into a movie thinking the worst, but coming out with a change of opinion . I walked out of Dan In Real Life completely changed.

Dan Burns (Steve Carell) is a widow raising three ungrateful daughters. He is an advice columnist who is great helping others with their problems, but lousy at solving his own. He comes from a huge loving family who support and love him unconditionally.

When he and his daughters go home for a big family gathering, every member of his family has suggestions on how he should change his life. They think it’s time for him to move on and find a special new woman.

He finds that special woman during a chance meeting at the local bookstore. Marie (Academy-Award winner Juliette Binoche) is an engaging woman who falls for Dan’s charm. It seems like a match made in heaven. It would be if it wasn’t for the fact that Marie is Dan’s brother’s new girlfriend. His younger brother Mitch (Dane Cook) has invited Marie to meet the family for the first time.

Now, both Dan and Marie must act as if nothing is wrong. They act as if they are total strangers who didn’t spend an amazing afternoon discovering who they are and the kind of person they truly want — hiding their attraction for one another from the rest of the family. Mainly, they’re hiding from the love sick Mitch who believes he has found the love of his life.

This is one of the most charming movies I’ve seen all year. I figured this would be another snooze-fest that would not appeal to me at all. It is so refreshing to discover a true gem like this movie.

Dan in Real Life is chalk full of smart humor and poignant moments that show off Carell’s acting ability. I absolutely loved the characters, especially his daughters. His middle child Cara (Brittany Robertson) was hilarious. She is a love sick teen who constantly drives her father crazy. Their scenes are so entertaining.

The rest of the supporting cast shined including Dianne Wiest and Frasier’s John Mahoney. Not to mention Emily Blunt (Devil Wears Prada), who plays the wild woman Dan’s parent’s sets him up with.

A great film about family and finding true love.