Crazy, Stupid, Love.

"Let's talk about how many women you've been with."
"Sexually?"
"Yeah, no. I mean break-dance fighting."

Cal (Carell) is content with his life.  He is married to his soul mate, Emily (Moore), who he has loved since they were teens.  On date night, she drops the bomb: she has been seeing someone else and wants a divorce.  He moves out of the house and drowns his sorrows at the local bar, telling anyone who will listen about his misfortune.

At the bar he attracts the attention of womanizer Jacob (Gosling).  Jacob decides to make Cal his new project, giving him a new wardrobe and confidence so that Cal can win back his wife or get over her.  Jacob is pursuing Hannah (Stone), a law student who is looking for a relationship, not a fling.  Meanwhile, Cal's teenage son Robbie (Bobo) is in love with his babysitter, Jessica (Tipton), who has a crush on Cal.  Can they all find love, or will they end up with broken hearts?


Romantic comedies have received lots of bad buzz over the years.  Hollywood consistently pumps out uninspired rom coms and chick flicks... anything to attract an audience.  Typically the only thing that matters are the stars of the film.  Sometimes a rom com pops up that actually has a plot and is funny, like this film, but they are not the norm.

While the plot is formulaic, the main draw of the film is the chemistry of the cast.  Steve Carell is invaluable as the center of the film, you root for him and his transformation.  Ryan Gosling plays and steals the film... getting the best lines and reactions.  Emma Stone continues to make smart career choices, playing a strong woman who isn't willing to settle.  Julianne Moore starts abrasive, but grows on you over time.  None of the characters are evil or menacing, and in the end everyone is happy.  The only character I didn't like was Marisa Tomei, who felt wasted... based on the trailers, it seemed like she would be a larger part of the story.

The film is fun and funny, and doesn't stoop to crude humor.  Check it out!

Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011) 118 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for coarse humor, sexual content and language.
Director: Glenn Ficarra and John Requa
Starring: Steve Carell as Cal Weaver
Ryan Gosling as Jacob Palmer
Julianne Moore as Emily Weaver
Emma Stone as Hannah
Analeigh Tipton as Jessica Riley
Jonah Bobo as Robbie Weaver
Joey King as Molly Weaver
Marisa Tomei as Kate
Kevin Bacon as David Lindhagen