Love is a complicated emotion. Something that humans seem to grapple with most of their lives. We're born with a yearning for something that transcends this earthly experience. For most people it's that elusive soul mate, a higher power or worse... money. It's why human nature is so fascinating and compels film-makers to continue making films about this human condition.
Look at just about any movie and at some level, superficial or soulful... you'll find the theme of love. No wonder Richard Curtis is infatuated with romance... Four Weddings & a Funeral, Notting Hill and Love, Actually all deliver the universal emotion in spades, or in this case hearts.
So it was only a matter of time before Hollywood tried to emulate the heartwarming emotion of a Richard Curtis film. They tried in Valentine's Day, unsuccessfully... unintentionally representing the day for what it really is, complete with heart-shaped chocolate box and a dozen red roses.
That was until Crazy, Stupid, Love. - an American film directed by I Love You Phillip Morris writer-director duo, Glen Ficarra and John Requa, written by Disney regular Dan Fogelman. Smart writing, convincing performances, backed by a genre and character metamorphosis is what sells Crazy, Stupid, Love. to the audience. While a little slow-to-start, this crowd-pleaser grows on you as the characters develop and life’s unpredictable rhythm catches us off guard with some hilarious and tender moments.
Steve Carell is a real find, debuting as an unofficial "understudy" to Jim Carey. Now known for his role in the U.S. version of The Office, the actor has proved himself worthy time and time again. Dinner for Schmucks and Evan Almighty aside, Carell has shown he can do romance drama well in Dan in Real Life and once again in Crazy, Stupid, Love. as Cal, a divorcee trying to reassemble his relationships and rearrange his priorities. He's supported by a blistering ensemble including: Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore and Emma Stone.
Ryan Gosling dives headfirst into every performance, inhabiting Jacob a schmaltzy playboy and role model in this film. Carell and Gosling share an unusual chemistry as the would-be apprentice educates the disappointed high school sweetheart in the ways of the wild, mentoring him on the art of seducing women at a local bar... don't worry it gets better.
Julianne Moore plays his wayward ex-wife, Emily, whose opinion of the man has gradually deteriorated over the years. The two seem like a genuine relationship on the rocks and there are several touching and funny moments shared between Carell and his leading lady.
Emma Stone is the free agent also known as Hannah, who intermittently weaves her way into the story as a young girl in search of the missing puzzle piece. A superficial encounter with Jacob leaves her character in limbo when it comes to love. After a reality check she begins to open her heart to finding love where she least expects it.
Carell is the glue that holds Crazy, Stupid, Love. together. It's a funny, unpredictable, sometimes touching, character-driven comedy romance. The performances hold strong, portraying believable characters caught in their own love fix. What starts as a rather sad Night at the Roxbury comedy transforms into another Dan in Real Life or straight The Kids Are All Right as if the leads are channeling their roles from these movies. Entertaining, despite a two hour run time, Crazy, Stupid, Love. will hit you in that order.
The bottom line: Surprising
