Crazy, Stupid, Love

2011, 15, Directed by Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Starring: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone

Crazy, Stupid, Love displays that rare instance where comedy and drama are merged in a large scale to pure success. The film follows Steve Carell’s Cal, a middle-aged married average Joe, whose world is rocked by wife Julianne Moore’s announcement that she wants a divorce. Over to the brilliantly-named womanizer Jacob then (Ryan Gosling, on charismatic form) to take Cal under his wing and restore him as a bachelor to be reckoned with. Cue sharp chat-up lines, delivered whilst wearing the sharpest suits – Carell really evolves as the film endures, Cal becoming a truly dependable protagonist.

The first 5 minutes of Crazy, Stupid, Love sets the tone for what is to come in a fitting manner, the realistic dramatic main course offered with a side-ordering of comedy. The way in which the comedic moments are almost underpinned by drama is the secret to this film’s success. However, unlike an Alexander Payne film, convention manifests as the film endures, but it is to the credit of the filmmakers – and the scarily top-notch supporting cast (Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei, etc.) – that this doesn’t hinder events. In fact, a left-field out-of-place plot twist provides the cherry on top purely for the way in which it defies convention with its occurrence, yet would leave the film lacking that extra punch if absent.

Okay, so the ultimate product may be verging on unbelievable, which drags a film that heavily relied on upholding realism downwards - but surely it becomes irrelevant if by the end credits you have a smile fixed onto your face, or dare I say it, tears rolling down your cheeks? The most unforeseen charming film to shout about for a long while, Crazy, Stupid, Love is what it says on the tin: it’s a crazy concept with stupid moments… but you’ll love it.

4/5