DAN IN REAL LIFE
US, 2007, 98 minutes, Colour.
Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, Alison Pill, Brittany Robertson, Marlene Lawston, Dianne Wiest, John Mahoney, Amy Ryan.
Directed by Peter Hedges.
Writer director Peter Hedges has written some very humane films: What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Pieces of April (which he also directed). Dan in Real Life is in that vein.
The film is a star vehicle for Steve Carell who has proven his comic talents in TV’s The Office as well as his funny turn in Bruce Almighty. He has starred in The Forty Year Old Virgin and was Evan Almighty.
This time he is a widower who still grieves for his wife after four years. He is also finding difficulties in raising his three daughters. Jane the oldest is desperate for a driving licence but Dan fears accidents. Cara, the 15 year old is desperately in love with a classmate and Dan dismisses it as an infatuation. Lily, the youngest, is not desperate but rather is a study pillar for her father. Dan in Real Life is the column he writes for a paper, giving advice on family problems. He is about to be syndicated nationally.
So far, so good and bad. He packs up with the girls to drive to the extended annual family reunion. This family has to be seen to be believed – and serve as an encouragement that the family that plays together stays together. There are the three generations, about fifteen in all – and they enjoy one another’s company.
Enter Marie. Dan has already encountered her in a book shop and, over a cup of coffee, has poured out his life story to her. Her arrival upsets him. He tries to keep his emotions under control but an unpleasant and rude side of his character emerges. Dan has difficulty coping with real life.
Juliette Binoche seems to relish the relaxed atmosphere of the film and having time off from her more serious roles. John Mahoney and Dianne Wiest are the ideal grandparents. Dane Cook is sympathetic as the wronged brother and Emily Blunt has a cameo as a brash doctor.
But, despite the heavier overtones, the film is light, entertaining – something of a ‘if only the world could be more like this’ kind of romantic comedy.
1.The appeal of the film, human, the extended family, parenting, love, truth?
2.The title, Dan’s column, his success, people quoting him, publishing a book? Daniel and his three children, his sense of failure, real life?
3.Steve Carell and his appeal, the ordinary man? The contrast with Juliette Binoche, her vivacity, the touch of the exotic?
4.Daniel and Steve Carell’s style, the little man, the father, his crises, the children ready for school, the issue of syndication, Mark and his arrival, flirting with Cara? Jane and her driving? Lily and her being wise? The round-up to go to their grandparents, the drive, the arguments, the petrol money for their education and his jokes? The arrival, happy family reunion? Staying in the laundry to make way for Marie? Mitch as his brother, his parents and their being genial, the extended family, adults and children? Their urging him to go out? In the shop, the encounter with Marie, explaining all the books for her, having the cup of coffee, talking and talking, explaining himself? Telling the group about Marie and the others urging him to contact her?
5.The introduction to Marie, in the shop, the books, her past relationship, her arrival, the effect on Dan, with Mitch? The consequences, talking, Dan sulking? Flirting and dancing? His rudeness at the table? The reaction of everyone else? Mitch? Taking the kids to the lighthouse and their not enjoying it? Cara and Mark’s turning up? Lilly and her project and his ignoring it? Overhearing Jane talk with Marie? Hiding in the shower and getting wet? Getting out on the roof? His watching Marie, the snide remarks? Everyone worried about him? The concert, singing with Mitch, singing to Marie? Jane and her comments about flirting? His parents, the pep talk, everybody involved? The walk on the beach? The effect on Dan – and audiences identifying with him and hoping that all would be well?
6.The family bonds, everyone together, the meals, the grandmother and her preparing the meals, the games, charades, on the beach, playing, the kids together, the adults together? The adults and their reflection on their families, married life?
7.Mitch and his girlfriends, past history, infatuations, his love for Marie, with her, sharing, the hurt, the truth?
8.The parents, genial, their care?
9.Going out with Rachel, the jokes about her being Pig-face, flirtation, Dan dancing with her, Marie’s reaction, the night out, Mitch later with Ruth?
10.Marie, her participating in all the games, finding the family genial, answering all the questions about her life at the meal, everybody liking her, the girls talking with her? Dan following? The irony of the cars, the police, the tickets, his crashing into the car? His forbidding Jane to drive?
11.The bowls, sharing with Marie, the kiss – and the family catching them?
12.The effect, Daniel humbled, discovering that one could fall in love in three days, allowing Jane to drive, Lilly and the project about her mother, his looking at the pictures? Their all going to find Marie together?
13.The happiness in the final credits, the wedding, everybody enjoying the dance?
