Actor Steve Carrell isn’t someone I’ve garnered a liking for, but when watching the trailer for this comedy, I decided that when the DVD release came, it deserved a look. What I came away with was a bit of disappointment and some genuinely surprising tender moments.

Something is happening to Dan … its confusing … it’s awkward … it’s family. A relationship columnist, Dan Burns (Steve Carell) is a widower with one big problem -- he is raising three daughters on his own, two being teenagers complete with normal teen emotions and the big problem for Dad is the boyfriends. Dan’s day starts out badly when he slams the door on middle daughter Cara’s boyfriend and only gets worse when on the way to his parents annual family reunion he won’t let oldest daughter Jane (Allison Pill) drive, therefore making both daughters angry at him. Once arriving at his family’s lakeside home, Dan ends up meeting new-comer Marie (Juliette Binoche) while at the local bookstore. After a lengthy conversation in which Dan actually feels something for a women since his wife’s death, Dan thinks now maybe he has met someone with whom he can develop a friendship. Little does Dan know what a surprise he is in for during that evening. 

Marie turns out to be “Annie”, who’s real name is Ann-Marie, his brother Mitch’s (Dane Cook) new girlfriend. During the time Dan’s rather large, boisterous yet loving family spend together, Dan must deal with the sudden emotions he has for Marie while also attempting to heal whatever mistakes he has made with his daughters. There are definitely pros and cons about this comedy, but then all movies seem to have something about them that one may not agree with or simply wasn’t necessary. As far as content goes in this flick, it’s more subtle but is still a concern. Dan’s brother talks to him about how long since he’s “let go” or been with someone (this conversation takes place among several family members). His mother sets him up with someone; Mitch and Marie go along as a double date and both couples end up dancing (no one else is at the bar). While the scene isn’t terrible it felt out of place and awkward.

Cara wears suggestive clothes and one scene has the whole family out exercising, Dan watches Marie rather intently. In a tried and tired scene Dan tackles Marie in a game of football, where they linger a bit longer than needed. Dan is in the bathroom with Marie on one occasion talking when his daughter walks in; Marie and he end up in the shower with her being naked on top (she covers herself with her arms while we only briefly glimpse her side through a mirror). Language is minimal. Dan’s daughter questions him on why he was flirting with Marie, the older girls wonder when a boyfriend becomes a “lover." The main problem with this story is the fact that we the audience can see so many flaws in Dan … which is real life, as the title says. However because of some foolish life choices which Dan did have control over and should have handled differently, we can’t help but dislike him at times. Both Dan and Marie were silly and immature to act as they ultimately did and yet one doesn’t feel too sorry for the “injured” party when we see what he does shortly thereafter. Not only was it wrong for the adults involved but in the end Dan should have been practicing what he was constantly preaching to his daughter Cara, who continually exclaimed about being in love at fifteen. In the beginning he told her that after three days she couldn’t possibly be in love and in the end we hear him admitting the same thing.

Carell is known for being a comedic actor, however most of his work from my understanding is to the point of being downright crude, and while Dan in Real Life isn’t crude there were certain aspects that were meant to be comic but failed. Dan is very immature and at times acts like a fifteen year old rather than the adult who’s raising three daughters should -- this was tried for laughs but didn’t hold up any longer after the second or third time he makes a complete fool of himself. All three girls have terrible attitudes towards him. You may be wondering after all of the negative material if there is anything good to comment on about Dan in Real Life, and the answer would be, yes.

Dan and his youngest daughter share some genuinely special moments, and Dan and Marie's first meeting quite cute. The bowling scene between them is also touching (despite the rashness that leads up to it). Cara tells her dad that when it comes to sex, her boyfriend is the one who wants to wait, which was surprising to hear even if it was only from a fifteen year old. The story is really what is best about this movie. The family was “real” and was portrayed superbly as such, but some of the acting eventually dragged some of the more precious moments down. Fans of Emily Blunt may like to know that she also has a cameo appearance. After pondering on this movie, I decided that it was enjoyable. Despite the subtle innuendos and bad teen attitudes, it has a lovely ending in which Dan is able to mend everything nicely, and the more I think on it, the more I like it. If you’re looking for something that isn’t faultless and you’re able to overlook some of its mishaps, Dan in Real Life is worth a rental fee.