Movie Reviews

Dan in Real Life (Peter Hedges, 2007)

WHAT IT IS: Dan, a columnist, has a chance encounter with the lovely Marie and, for the both of them, it’s love at first sight. But he discovers she’s taken … by his training-obsessed, fickle brother.

HOW IT IS: Dan in real life is filmmaking by the numbers. It hits its various notes and hits them well but with neither flair nor much independent spirit. Steve Carrell is typecast as Dan and embodies his nervousness well and pitiful gestures. As his love interest, Juliette Binoche is perfect, infusing charm and sophistication to her character. Dianne Wiest and John Mahoney are superb and Dane Cook has never been known to play any other character but himself. The movie’s plot is predictable, and the characters rarely venture into unknown territory. Dan in Real Life makes for a passable rental, but not much else.

IF YOU LIKE: 40 Year-Old Virgin.

More info on IMDB

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Head Honcho at Red Brand Studios
Eric Lafalaise mostly communicates by writing and telling stories. He is a contributing writer to the Kinoreal film blog, a producer for Red Brand Studios, an artist, a photographer, a tech freak, and an all-around (left-right) brain nut.
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Eric Lafalaise

Eric Lafalaise mostly communicates by writing and telling stories. He is a contributing writer to the Kinoreal film blog, a producer for Red Brand Studios, an artist, a photographer, a tech freak, and an all-around (left-right) brain nut.

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