Let me start by saying I LOVED this movie. Yes, I know it came out in July 2011 but I just rented it and stayed up late to finish watching it. It was worth it.
For anyone who hasn’t seen it yet here is a quick summary courtesy of IMBd: A middle-aged husband’s life changes dramatically when his wife asks him for a divorce. He seeks to rediscover his manhood with the help of a new-found friend Jacob, learning to pick up girls at bars.
What made this movie different from the hundreds of other romantic comedies? Short answer: the characters are fully developed. I once read a quote that described a good book. Simply put, a good book is one that once you read the last page, you miss the characters like old friends. The same can be applied to a good movie. The casting and acting were heartfelt and realistic.
I am a huge fan of Steve Carell (The Office) and he brought the right amount of charm and vulnerability to the character of Cal Weaver, a man who has been married for years and is happy and content in his life. Watching him struggle with learning to date again was touching. Seeing a playboy be redeemed (Ryan Gosling) was done in a refreshing manner. The additional subplot involving Cal’s 13 year old son and his crush on his babysitter was priceless. The writing and dialogue were on point.
I enjoyed this movie so much I’ve watched it twice. I plan to buy it for Christmas. It is a case study in character development and story structure. I recommend you go out and rent it immediately. You won’t be disappointed.