| Release Date: 29 July 2011 (USA) Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance IMDb Rating: 7.4 Director: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa Cast: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore |
Love can be truly crazy and stupid and it was almost 10 years ago that directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa brought audiences laughter in the summer of 2011 when it was released. It was the enchanting comedy Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Cal tries to navigate living in the single world with the help of Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling) a professional bachelor learning how to pick up women at bars.
With repeated viewings, the film still holds up as it tells the story of Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) a middle-aged man whose life changes when his wife, Emily (Julianne Moore) asks for a divorce. The film has brilliant and smart elements of a romantic comedy and drama written by Dan Fogleman that delivers with twists.
The entire cast is just sensational as each character is fully well developed and performances excel with the likes of the leading funnyman as Carell takes on the romantic lead with the help of the handsomely, talented Gosling.
Gosling has become one of my favorite actors over the years who never disappoints in any of his roles. With Gosling and Carell their bond never goes unnoticed. While Carell tries to find love, Gosling has an interest in Hannah (Emma Stone). Stone is likable and her chemistry is undeniably charming to watch.
One of the most iconic scenes is when Hannah asks Jacob about his seduction techniques and reveals he uses the Dirty Dancing lift to win the ladies’ hearts. This would be the first for Stone and Gosling to team up together as they later went on to star in Gangster Squad and La La Land. Due to Gosling’s performance, it actually earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
Moore’s character cheats on her husband, but Moore is also likable and is followed by a star-studded supporting cast and is also strong with the likes of Analeigh Tipton, Kevin Bacon, Marisa Tomei, John Carroll Lynch, Joey King, and Josh Groban where none of these performances feel forced.
Ficarra and Requa previously marked their directorial debut with the 2009 comedy starring Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor, I Love You, Phillip Morris. After directing this rom-com, the duo went on to direct Focus, and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot however, it’s this film that shows their best work as they prove to balance comedy and drama. Ficarra and Requa explore ideas of first love and finding the love of your life as it shows love can get messy and complicated.
Crazy, Stupid, Love. feels real as it shows its hurdles while making it as hilarious as possible.
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What also goes unrecognized is the cinematography by Andrew Dunn that feels glossy and slick as each scene moves. Audiences could be drawn out due to its over slow pace, but quickly picks right back up. Definitely cozy up on the couch with your Valentine for one of the most perfect rom-coms with an outstanding cast that will make you smile from beginning to end.
My rating:
