Dan in Real Life (2007)

	Directed by: Peter Hedges	COUNTRY USA GENRE Comedy/Romance/Drama NORWEGIAN TITLE Dan in Real Life RUNNING TIME 98 minutes
	Produced by: Brad Epstein Jonathan Shestack
	Written by: Peter Hedges Pierce Gardner

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Dan	Steve Carell
Marie	Juliette Binoche
Mitch Burns	Dane Cook	½
Jane Burns	Alison Pill
Cara Burns	Brittany Robertson
Lilly Burns	Marlene Lawston	½
Nana	Dianne Wiest
Poppy	John Mahoney	½
Eileen	Amy Ryan
Amy	Jessica Hecht
Howard	Frank Wood
Ruthie Draper	Emily Blunt

Review

The romantic comedy is not a genre that traditionally has been blessed with the most innovative of filmmakers. Often, the romance is too far removed from a situation that the average viewer can identify with, and with rather trite comedy sprinkled on top. Dan in Real Life also has its fair share of incredibilities and recirculated segments, but the framework and tone Peter Hedges creates for his protagonist is both refreshing and moving. Dan, as portrayed by Steve Carell, is a character with recognisable human flaws and characteristics. Carell's performance is surprisingly and appropriately low-key, and the often hilarious comedian here exhibits an ability to deliver subtle reactions to the array of situations he finds himself in throughout the film.

Even if the romantic storyline, which is indeed the main one here, may seem constructed at first (or rather second) glance, the evocative setting in Dan in Real Life gives it a familiarity and intimacy that makes this an enjoyable experience. The utilised means are basically two: One is Hedges' decision to set almost the entire film in and around a big family get-together at the old folks' house in semi-rural surroundings. The result is a John Irving-ish, snug atmosphere that makes you long for your in-laws. At times, you may feel there's too much warmth, but Carell's black-sheepish persona keeps it balanced.

The other is the score by my fellow countryman Sondre Lerche. It is a stripped and minimalistic guitar-based soundtrack in the vein of Cat Stevens' work for Harold and Maude. Although the music isn't among the catchiest or even best in Lerche's portfolio, it nevertheless gives the film a fine backdrop from which to develop its often amusing and touching narrative. Atypically for the romantic comedy, it isn't the principal relationship that provides the film's best moments, but rather Hedges' many observations on parenting and family life in general – the best of which is the well-acted and amusingly bumpy relationship between Dan and his three daughters.