Thursday, September 8, 2011

Movie Review: Crazy, Stupid, Love


I heard rave reviews about this film. I had friends tell me how much they enjoyed it. There were a lot of reasons why I should have already seen Crazy, Stupid, Love but somehow, the film just never caught my interest. Then again, I'm an idiot. This was easily was one the most enjoyable films I've seen in some time.

Bang Bros.
Steve Carell plays Cal Weaver, a pathetic shell of a suburban dad whose wife, played by Julianne Moore, announces that she's cheated on him and wants a divorce. Cal has a bit of a breakdown and starts boozing it up every night a happening downtown bar which attracts the attention of Ryan Gosling's ultimate ladies man character Jacob. Jacob takes Cal under his wing and teaches the previously emasculated loser (with his Supercuts hair style and clothes from The Gap) how to strut his stuff and bone hot twenty-something broads like a champ!

Of course things flip turn upside down when long lost emotions start to resurface in all of the film's characters. Not just in Cal but for other members of his family as well as in the coldly calculating Lothario, Jacob himself. What makes Crazy, Stupid, Love so successful is it's serious look at love at all levels of the human experience. From grade school crushes and one night stands, to 20+ year marriages and bouts of infidelity. The film explores just how intoxicating and heartbreaking this raw emotion can be. Anyone with a pulse who has ever longed for another human being will have something to identify with here.

It also helps that the script/dialogue is sharp. The all star cast does an amazing job of grounding these often goofy characters with some sense of reality. Gosling and Carell have some strangely awesome chemistry together while Emma Stone is as cute/funny as ever. Of course the film's secret weapon is the always entertaining/gorgeous, Marisa Tomei. She may only have a small role in this film, but like even the tinyiest of diamonds, she sparkles, shines and proves extremely valuable in the end.

Jim's Fear, Female Obsession:  March 2011

So go see Crazy, Stupid, Love...or as I like to call it: Funny, Smart, Entertaining.
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20 comments:

  1. D4September 8, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    Well, damn. I've been overlooking it just like you were, now I feel silly for doing that.

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  2. JaySeptember 8, 2011 at 3:58 PM

    anything with Carell is worth seeing. :)

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  3. mamtcSeptember 8, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    I am going to trust your review on this except the Marisa Tomei part, I read funny comments about her protroyal as a sexy lady.
    Anyway I saw Rise of the planets of apes and I need to agree with you, it wasnt that bad as I expected it to be.

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  4. ZombieSeptember 8, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    I have been wanting to see this one for the longest time!!

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  5. TS HendrikSeptember 8, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    I've wanted to see it, I just didn't view it as theatrical worthy. Your review has really got me wanting to see it now.

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  6. Major MackSeptember 8, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    ill check it

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  7. The Angry LurkerSeptember 9, 2011 at 12:08 AM

    Hadn't heard anything about it but will try and check it out now.

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  8. AllenTeschSeptember 9, 2011 at 12:49 AM

    I had no plans to ever see this. Until now.

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  9. Mai YangSeptember 9, 2011 at 1:15 AM

    oh! I've been waiting for this movie. ^_^

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  10. LaurySeptember 9, 2011 at 4:54 AM

    I love Steve Carrel's actor skills! No doubt im going to watch this movie :)

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  11. Electric AddictSeptember 9, 2011 at 5:23 AM

    i'd watch it

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  12. BerserculesSeptember 9, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    People cheating on eachother and being in crapy relationships. Sounds like most movies and tv shows. Don't know if I'll watch this one!

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  13. doraSeptember 9, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    might watch this move, thanks for the post
    +follow

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  14. Heaven.September 9, 2011 at 3:17 PM

    I need to see it!

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  15. ShawSeptember 10, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    I cannot into chick flicks.

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  16. ShutterbugSeptember 10, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    This was one of the movies I wanted to see and hope to get around to it! I like chick flicks and I would enjoy this very much! :D

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  17. edSeptember 10, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    hey steve, stop playing the same character

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  18. BartSeptember 10, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    wow that girl is a total babe, schwing

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  19. Jessica ThompsonSeptember 11, 2011 at 1:49 AM

    Haha, that's great!

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  20. OutcastSeptember 11, 2011 at 1:19 PM

    The premise seems hilarious. Odd couples are cliched but I'd still like to check this out. Some nice reviews here buddy so I'm following.

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