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Join UsSteve Carell divorces his wife when he finds out that she is cheating on him. He meets Ryan Gosling, who teaches him how to woo girls. However, Steve still loves his wife. Steve’s teenaged son loves his babysitter, who, in turn, loves Carell. Soon, Ryan also falls in love. What happens next? Read the review of Crazy, Stupid, Love to find out.
Business rating: 2.5/5 stars
Star cast: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Analeigh Tipton, Jonah Bobo, Marisa Tomei, Beth Littleford, John Carroll Lynch.
What’s Good: The well-written, flawless script; the comedy; the heart-touching emotional scenes; the performances.
What’s Bad: The narrative seems to drag a little in the last few reels; the angle of Carell’s son loving a girl who, in turn, loves the father (Cal) will not go down too well with the Indian audience.
Verdict: The film is an entertainer but it will do average business at the Indian box-office because of lack of A-list stars and dull promotion.
Loo break: None at all.
Watch or Not?: Crazy, Stupid, Love is a laugh-a-minute joyride that should not be missed.
User Rating:
Carousel Productions’ Crazy, Stupid, Love is a romantic comedy about a family that is struck with tragedy when the parents divorce after a couple of decades of married life.
When Emily (Julianne Moore) tells Cal (Steve Carell) that she wants a divorce as she had cheated on him by sleeping with one David Lindhagen (Kevin Bacon), he gives in to despondency and shifts out of their house. Although his maturing, teenaged son, Robbie (Jonah Bobo), and young daughter visit him, Cal is down in the dumps. He visits a bar every night where he eventually meets a young Casanova, Jacob (Ryan Gosling), who is adept at picking up girls. Jacob offers to help Cal by giving him a makeover and teaching him how to woo girls. With nothing much left to look forward to, Cal, who has never been with any other woman, takes up the offer. Soon, his clothes and attitude undergo a significant change and he is able to pick up women from the joint as well. His friendship with Jacob blossoms.
However, Cal soon realises that, after all, he loves his wife and family only. He tries to get back with her but one of Robbie’s teachers (who Cal had unknowingly slept with before) spills the beans to the wife at the parents-teacher meeting. Cal is distraught as his wife is now furious with him for having slept with several women. Cal desperately tries to get in touch with Jacob, but the latter does not get back because he, too, has now fallen in love with Hannah (Emma Stone), a heartbroken, young lawyer.
Jessica (Analeigh Tipton), the babysitter of Cal’s children, whom Robbie loves, falls in love with Cal. To cheer Cal up and attract him, she sends Cal revealing photos of herself. These photos land up with Jessica’s father, who rushes to beat up Cal. On the other hand, Cal is trying to surprise his wife. Things unravel when Cal, Emily, their two kids, Jessica’s father, Jessica and two other characters, all land up in Cal’s backyard. Who are the two other characters? What is their relation with Cal? What about Cal’s and his son’s love for their soulmates? What about Jacob? The rest of the film and the climax answer these questions.
Crazy, Stupid, Love Review – Script Analysis
Dan Fogelman’s story is very funny. In addition, the screenplay, also written by him, has several tear-jerking emotional moments. The audience is engaged in the goings-on of the Weaver family right from the word ‘go’ because the characterisations of Cal, Jacob and Robbie are very endearing. The twisted angle of everybody falling in love with everybody gives rise to a lot of situational humour but it also looks forced and unbelievable. The dialogues are very good and entertaining. The climax is a tear-jerking speech by Cal which reminds the audience what true love is.
Crazy, Stupid, Love Review – Star Performances
Steve Carell is marvellous as the confused, divorced husband. His transformation into the confident Casanova is very entertaining. Also, his emotional interactions with his son touch the heart. Of course, Carell’s comic timing is impeccable as ever. Ryan Gosling does a fine job as the Lothario. Julianne Moore also shines. Emma Stone looks hot and acts well. Master Jonah Bobo excels in the role of the teenager. Analeigh Tipton looks her character and acts ably. Marisa Tomei (as teacher Kate) is funny. Beth Littleford and John Carroll Lynch (as the neighbours) do well. Kevin Bacon (as David Lindhagen) is good in the couple of scenes he has.
Crazy, Stupid, Love Review – Direction & Music
Directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa do a very good job. They extract excellent performances, and maintain just the right balance between the comic and emotional elements in the narrative. Christophe Beck and Nick Urata’s background score is pleasing to the ears. Andrew Dunn’s cinematography is very good. Editing, by Lee Haxall, could have been better in the last few reels.
Crazy, Stupid, Love Review – Verdict
On the whole, Crazy, Stupid, Love is an entertaining fare that will appeal to all. Only, if the film had a better known star cast, its box-office performance in India would have been much better than it will be.
