Dan in Real Life
Steve Carell is often better than the films in which he appears. Finally, here’s a film that is a fine match for his (often underrated) talent.
Dan In Real Life comes from the name of a weekly newspaper advice column penned by Dan Burns (Steve Carell). While he is adept at handing out advice to others, his own life could use some attention. He is a widower, struggling to meet the demands of three young girls, each at critical periods of development. One has just turned old enough to drive; one has discovered boys; and the youngest is a precociously wise fourth-grader.
On a weekend away at Long Island, with his extended family, he meets Marie (Juliette Binoche). They share an instant rapport and spend ages chatting. We sense that for the first time since the death of his wife, Dan has allowed himself to feel close to another woman. More importantly, it seems they can’t help but be drawn to each other.
But something stands in their way, and it’s not an easy obstacle to overcome. Will Dan and Marie be able to resist their physical and emotional attraction to each other? Will Dan be able to muster the wisdom that he readily dispenses to others, to resolve his own dilemma?
This is a charming film in so many ways. It’s a comedy with a light touch that resists the temptation to try too hard for laughs. It realistically depicts a vacationing extended family: the house in which they’re staying is cluttered with the mess that such a gathering would create, and the place is frequently abuzz with activity. Everyone around Dan is busy, while he goes through the private anguish of his newly acquired dilemma. Each cast member, doing a fine job of being able to blend naturally into the background when required. They look natural, and behave naturally. The frequently rainy setting steers the movie well away from typically sun-drenched Hollywood fare. Then there’s the soundtrack: appropriately pleasant and gentle but quirky and distinct enough to add to the film’s charm.
The lead actors are marvellous. One would be hard-pressed to think of a film in which Juliette Binoche has laughed as much as she does in this film. She is charming, and there’s a sense that these people really are drawn to each other. Steve Carell is particularly good in this film, presenting measured doses of comedy and pathos. He arouses such sympathy in the viewer with a simple facial expression that speaks volumes, and stabs at the heart.
It is here that director Peter Hedges’ previous work as a writer pays off; he knows when to let the characters speak, and when to let the camera focus on their facial expressions, and speak for them.
All in all, a delightful film with a consistently good cast, capably directed.