Film Review: Crazy, Stupid, Love

Director: Glenn Ficarra and John Requa

A romantic comedy from 2011 that elevates itself above the usual dross genre of rom-coms with a clever dose of comedy and a distinct lack of predictability over the affairs of love. From the impressive cast, Ryan Gosling was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a musical or comedy but unsurprisingly he lost out to Jean Dujardin in The Artist. 

Jacob Palmer (Gosling) with Cal Weaver (Carell)

Cal Weaver (Carrell) has been told that his wife (Julianne Moore) wants a divorce and that she had an affair with another man. Cal is obviously shocked and drinking heavily in a local bar he runs into Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling) who says the reason his wife left him is because he lost sight of who he is as a man. They finally agree to meet the next day so Jacob can help him dress and act accordingly to be a man who women would be interested in. Elsewhere Hannah (Emma Stone) is hoping to pass the bar to become a lawyer and has possibly been promised the offer of an engagement by her boyfriend Richard (Josh Groban) if she does.

The film has a cynical edge at its heart which separates it from the genre that it currently dwells within. The divorce between Cal and Emily Weaver feels very real with a direct effect on their kids, especially Robbie (Jonah Bobo) who has his own love problems with his babysitter Jessica (Analeigh Tipton) which produces its own strand of laughs. Its a film that starts off incredibly strongly and manages to save itself at the end from what is a pretty average middle act, save for one clever plot twist.

Hannah (Emma Stone) with her opinionated friend Liz (Liza Lapira)

The early jokes mostly stem from the conversations between the swarve Jacob and the Dad type Cal. This is arguably the funniest section of the movie as the jokes and put downs are often well observed and witty. Whilst the second half does descend slightly into the more slapstick and crude jokes that are much easier to reach, which is a shame but not so prevalent that it will put you off entirely. Ryan Gosling is impressive as the quick witted Jacob whilst Steve Carell plays the sort of character he really excels at, a more straight character rather than the annoyingly over the top Brick Tamland type we saw in Anchorman 2. 

3/4 Fresh and funny romantic comedy