I picked this up at a pound store so my expectations were low. I hadn't heard of the film but I like Steve Carell so thought I would give it a watch. What unfolded was a funny, sensitive, entertaining story about a man struggling with his life as a single parent. There are details here that are beautifully handled. I am surprised that this film is not better know. I hope people will seek it out. It's a treat!

There were original elements to this film, but the main plot was obvious from the beginning. Viewers will know not only how "Dan in Real Life" not only ends, but will likely be able to figure out most of the detours within 15 minutes of the start.So much of the actual dialogue is so clichéd and poorly thought out. Without spoiling the film, Dan is meant to be a writer, but any time any of his material is introduced, it is hacky trite glurge. I rolled my eyes almost every time we were introduced to his writing. The idea that he is published, sought after, and even considered original in itself is totally unbelievable. There are elements that are original, yet these are either totally botched and the opportunity is wasted, or they are pulled off in an over the top way. At times it felt like this was trying to be a farce, at other times a quiet comedy, and at others an ensemble. I felt the family element with both Dan's nuclear and extended family was overwhelming and unbelievable. Details were sketched in, I suppose because of a lack of time and an expectation the viewer would project their own ideas about what was going on. So much is glossed over. I suspect that if this film was given proper time, or if it chose a comedy sub-genre, it would have been more enjoyable.

I really rather enjoyed this Carrell vehicle, although I'm much the same sort of middle-aged, middle-class, regret-sump everyman that he plays. This is the point of the film: it's created to tee up the easy-going end of Carrell's shtick and the drama funnels itself down a chicane of warm circumstantial comedy into a happy ending.This doesn't mean one shouldn't like it. Juliette Binoche may be a little Bohemian for the setup but it productive to have that grit in the oyster of an extended family. Carrell is very professional and plays a Dad extremely well, all the self-rapprochement and misgivings deeply buried but not hidden. The family at large is barely believable but not incredible largely because of Diane Wiest, who fulfils the same role to the cast as a mother would to such a family - gravitational centre. The three young daughters are excellent. 5/10

Dan is a newspaper agony uncle. He has had a difficult time dealing with his wife's death, but has done the best he can because of his three daughters (the oldest is 17). On a trip to visit with his extended family, Dan meets Marie in a bookshop, and seriously connects with her: for the first time, he feels hope that he might love again. It turns out that Marie is also at the family get together, as the girlfriend of Dan's younger brother Matt.This romantic comedy is actually pretty funny, and all without resorting to the crassness which is all too prevalent in modern comedies. Steve Carell gives a touching and rounded performance, Juliet Binoche is both attractive and mousily ordinary as Marie, and all the supporting cast do exactly what they are meant to - support.I enjoyed this film a great deal.